Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports9 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

200 reports

59,500 miles · Aug 1, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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NHTSA ODI #10618139

20,204 miles · Jul 31, 2014

Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,204.

NHTSA ODI #10617884

34,600 miles · Jul 28, 2014

Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED,THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,600.

NHTSA ODI #10616832

51,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014

Electrical SystemEngine

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I WAS ON INTERSTATE 40 WHEN I NOTICED A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE JUST AS I TOOK MY EXIT. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND SOON AS I PULLED IN MY VEHICLE BEGAN SHUTTING DOWN. THE MESSAGE SAID IT COULD NOT DETECT MY KEY AND IT WAS GOING INTO BATTERY SAVING MODE. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, ALL POWER WAS LOST AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, I WAS UNABLE TO ROLL UP MY WINDOWS AND LOCK MY DOORS. IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GAS STATION WAS CLOSED I HAD TO ENLIST HELP FROM STRANGERS TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I ENDED UP STAYING AT A HOTEL OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING I WAS ABLE TO GET A JUMP AND GET TO THE NEAREST AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE THEY TESTED THE BATTERY AND DETERMINED THE ALTERNATOR WAS FAILING. I AM NOW IN A POSITION WHERE I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THE LIGHTS ON,WHICH MEANS I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT I CAN'T USE THE AC AND IT IS JULY, OR DRIVE WITH THE RADIO ON UNTIL I AM ABLE TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I AM RUNNING OFF OF BATTERY POWER ALONE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM GETS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614886

48,500 miles · Jul 16, 2014

Electrical System

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FIRST NOTICED A "WHINING" NOISE WHEN IDLING THAT INCREASED AS I ACCELERATED. I HAD A BURNING SMELL, NOT SURE HOW IT WAS RELATED. NEXT SIGN OF TROUBLE WAS "BATTERY SAVER MODE" MESSAGE ON ELECTRONIC DISPLAY. SOON AFTER, REVERSE CAMERA STOPPED WORKING, THE RADIO TURNED OFF BY ITSELF, REAR DEFROSTER AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DIDN'T WORK. LAST SIGN WAS TRACTION CONTROL & ABS LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. RIGHT AS I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER (NO STEERING, WIPERS CAME ON, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH FLASHED AND HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING). 2 DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS BUT ONLINE SEARCHES SEEMED TO INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610940

36,800 miles · Jul 13, 2014

Electrical System

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THE FIRST OCCURRED 4 DAYS EARLIER AND IT HAD BURNT OUT MY BATTERY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND HAD NO LOANER CAR FOR ME. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED. THEY TOLD ME THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED OUT ON THE COMPUTER, WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND MUST OF BEEN THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 4 DAYS LATER, BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE ABS AND ANTI-SKID LIGHTS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, RADIO CUT OFF AND THEN LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION. COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD WHERE THERE WAS THE ODOR OF ELECTRICAL SHORT AND BURNING. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED 4 DAYS EARLIER. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD BY SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES. MILEAGE IS 36,800. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610158

36,650 miles · Jul 7, 2014

Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

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WHILE COMING A STOP, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED A 'SYSTEM ERROR' LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. TRAFFIC WAS IMPEDED AND A SERIES OF ACCIDENTS WERE NARROWLY AVOIDED. AFTER TOWING IT TO THE DEALER, I'M TOLD THAT THE LIKELY CULPRIT IS THE ALTERNATOR WHICH "ARE KNOWN TO GO OUT ON THESE CARS, RIGHT AROUND THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY," ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. WARRANTY ON THIS PART IS 36,000 MILES AND MY CAR WAS AT 36,650 MILES. AFTER YELLING AND SCREAMING, THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE COULD LOWER THE COST FROM $1,100 TO $900. WHEN PRESSED, HE SAID THE PRICE FOR THE ALTERNATOR ALONE WAS $600, EXCLUDING ANY LABOR. I AM FURIOUS THAT THIS IS A 'KNOWN PROBLEM' AND YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND FROM THE LIST OF OTHER COMPLAINANTS ON THIS SITE, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO REVIEW THIS PROBLEM AND ADDRESS IT. MY OPTIONS ARE LIMITED. I NEED MY CAR BACK. HOPEFULLY, WHEN I GET IT RETURNED TO ME, THE PROBLEM WILL BE GONE. BUYER BEWARE, APPARENTLY, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608662

53,800 miles · Jun 18, 2014

Electrical SystemCrash

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MY RADIO SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE BATTERY SAVER MODE CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I CALLED THE DEALER WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT ISSUE AND BRING IT NEXT DAY TO BE CHECKED. WHILE I ATTEMPTING TO TURN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND LOCKED UP IN THE INTERSECTION. I HAD NO STEERING AND EVERY LIGHT TURNED ON IN THE DASHBOARD. I WAS THEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ON AN 8 LANE HIGHWAY. A SEPARATE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THIS BECAUSE I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE FLASHERS TO WORK. LUCKILY THE DEALER WAS RIGHT UP THE STREET AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD AND IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPLACE IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ON A NEWER CAR AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PROBLEM BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHERS EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604376

80,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014

Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobility

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RADIO SHUT OFF. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A PICTURE BATTERY LIGHT ON THE DASH. IT WAS RAINING HARD, THEREFORE, I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE WIPERS DID NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY DUE TO THE PROBLEM (IT WENT TO A SLOW MOTION). AS SOON AS I PULLED OVER, THE CAR SHUTS OFF. HAD TO GET MY CAR PUSHED BY A COP AND MY BOYFRIEND OUT OF A DANGEROUS SPOT WHERE IT LEFT ME STUCK, TOWED, TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT IT IS THE ALTERNATOR AND REPAIRS ARE AROUND $800, AND A 63$ DIAGNOSIS FEE! REALLY!? NO ONE HAS IT IN STOCK, AND ONE STORE TOLD ME "THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THOSE ALTERNATORS BECAUSE THE FACTORY DOESN'T HAVE THEM EITHER, SORRY YOU NEED TO CALL THE DEALER." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597495

100 miles · Jun 10, 2014

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER CONCORD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE ILLUMINATION BECAME EXTREMELY DIM AND FAILED TO PROJECT LIGHTING TO THE ENTIRE ROAD. THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED T…

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NHTSA ODI #10597403

Official recalls

19V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

18V021000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

17V435000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jul 10, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

16V352000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

14V634000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Oct 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

13V118000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.

12V197000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

May 2, 2012

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY LOSE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUNCTION DUE TO AN OVERHEATED POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUSE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY LOSE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUNCTION DUE TO AN OVERHEATED POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUSE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY LOSE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUNCTION DUE TO AN OVERHEATED POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUSE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module