FCA issues safety recall on Jeep airbags and RAM trucks

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Detroit Michigan has begun recalling approximately 182,000 Jeep Wranglers MY2016-17 for potential airbag faults where the safety device could not deploy in a crash.

The car maker has said in documents presented to the US safety regulatory body that in particular circumstances a front impact sensor wiring harness or cable could be pulled until detaching before a signal can be sent to the vehicle’s occupant restraint controller. In this scenario, the occupant restraint controller may not receive a signal that deploys both frontal airbags and activate seatbelt pretensioners in a crash.

FCA has said it does not know of any specific incidents or injuries relating to the fault, but will notify US customers next month.

FCA Australia spokesperson Lucy McLellan, director corporate communications, confirmed the recall will probably affect cars Down Under.

“Regarding the Jeep Wrangler, yes it’s likely this recall will affect Australia however we’re still waiting for advice internationally.”

American Special Vehicles (ASV) convert with ADR compliance in partnership between Ateco Automotive and Walkinshaw Automotive Group

FCA is also recalling nearly 75,000 Ram pick-up vehicles in the States for a possible alternator fault that could cause engine stalling and vehicle fires due to overheating.

The automaker says the particular alternators supplied to them could suffer premature diode wear caused by frequent load cycling at or near maximum
amperage output, especially in hot climates. This is of particular concern for fleet vehicles under constant loads and frequent daily load which can cause short-circuiting in the alternators, causing engine stall and/or fire. Again, FCA has not been made aware of any incidents linked to the issue.

The vehicles affected are from the late-model Ram range including 2007-2014 Ram 2500 and 3500 pick-ups, the 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis models, and not that Australian fleet managers are likely to have them, but 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Pursuit muscle cars.

NSW Police using a Dodge Ram 3500 for heavy equipment and towing mounted patrol horse floats.

Edward Rowe, spokesperson for Ateco Automotive Group which is the national full-volume compliance importer for RAM trucks in Australia, said the affected vehicles in the States are not a part of its range here.

“The US vehicles affected by the alternator recall pre-date our product line,” Mr Rowe said. “Our dedicated department for product recalls can confirm this. However, with other converted Ram vehicles from other importers or our vehicles, if you are concerned you can take the vehicles to any one of our 30 American Special Vehicles national dealers from Alice Springs and Darwin to Sydney or Melbourne. The service department will plug the vehicles in and will automatically indicate any outstanding recalls.”

A number of government services such as NSW Police and commercial fleets are now looking at the heavy duty, high towing capacity RAM trucks as alternatives to lighter dual-cap utes.