Chrysler is recalling more than 786,000 cars in the U.S. to fix failing alternators, power mirrors that can start a fire, airbag sensors, and head restraints.
The 2011–2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee have alternators that can fail due to “thermal fatigue in the silicon diode.” This means the vehicle can either lose battery power, disable electrical systems such as the anti-lock brakes and stability control, or stall completely due to a short circuit, with or without prior warning from the dashboard display. A total of 434,581 vehicles are affected, all using the 3.6-liter V-6 and 160-amp alternator. Chrysler said it began investigating the problem in August and has received 394 complaints and reports of faulty alternators, including one accident. The automaker is not aware of any injuries or deaths resulting from this issue. Official notice to customers is scheduled to begin on November 28, by which time Chrysler expects to have a remedy lined up.
Heated power side mirrors on the 2011–2013 Jeep Wrangler can short and cause a fire due to water dripping on the door panels, thus confirming the suspicions of Jeep devotees that the Wrangler was never meant to have heated power side mirrors (they became optional for the first time in 2011). Water on the door panels can run along the wiring harness inside the doors and trickle onto the connector, which can cause a short and a possible fire. Chrysler said it had tracked down 27 incidences after first learning of three Canadian Wranglers with damaged mirror connectors, which were traced to winter weather conditions. Chrysler redesigned the ground connection for the 2014 model year and will repair existing models starting in December by moving the mirror’s power cable away from intruding water and shielding it. A total of 313,236 vehicles are affected. No injuries have been reported.
On 18,245 Ram C/V Tradesman vans from 2013–2015—the rarely seen Dodge Grand Caravan variant that replaces the side windows with steel panels—Chrysler will update software for side and curtain airbag sensors. The sensors may be fooled into deploying the airbags because of excessive resonance within the gutted minivan’s body (normally, the sensors are situated near HVAC and audio components that dampen the vibrations). Repairs are available now. No injuries have been reported.
Another 18,951 Ram ProMaster full-size vans from 2014 need their front headrests replaced because they may be too far away from the occupants’ heads. Chrysler is sourcing replacement parts and has not reported any injuries.
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Finally, the SRT Viper is being recalled for an airbag sensor that may read the seat as being closer to the dash than it actually is. As a result, the airbag could deploy with too little force. Dealers “will install a shim designed to afford the sensor an accurate seat-position reading.” A total of 1624 Vipers from model years 2013–2014 are affected. No related injuries have been reported.
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