Electrical System. Review the 1,242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 375 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 204 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports17 fire reports29 injury reports

Tires complaints

35 reports

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52,600 miles · Nov 14, 2011

TiresWheels

ONE TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO ADD SOME AIR. TIRE GOT FLAT INSTANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435442

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2011

Tires

VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE CHECKING AND FILLING THE TIRES. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429324

34,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011

Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, THE TIRE CONTINUED TO GO FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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NHTSA ODI #10422644

79,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011

Tires

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HARNESS, WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE, WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE METHOD OF REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE TIRE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN DRAGGED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, POSITIONING ONESELF VERY CLOSE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10415252

56,000 miles · Jul 17, 2011

Tires

FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VALVE STEM ON MY 2008 TOWN AND COUNTRY BROKE. THIS TIME IT RESULTED IN A TIRE GOING FLAT WHILE GOING ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR. FORTUNATELY WE COULD GET OFF THE ROAD AND AAA CAME TO PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE. WE REPLACED THE STEM BUT WILL NEED AN EXPENSIVE SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER WILL NOT FIX THIS PA…

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NHTSA ODI #10413179

30,100 miles · Jul 7, 2011

Tires

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FOR SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS AT 30,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES AND GRIND ROTORS. ON 6/29/2011 2008 CHRYSLER T&C TOURING 3.8L WENT TO WOLBERT AUTO BODY IN PITTSBURGH, PA FOR BRAKE WARNING SQUEELERS AND A TIRE ROTATION. UPON PAYING FOR FRONT BRAKES, MACHINING OF FRONT ROTORS AND ROTATING TIRES MY MECHANIC INDICATED ON MY INVOICE THAT BOTH FRONT VAVE STEMS BAD. TOOK CAR TO MICKS ODGE CHRYSLER IN ROBINSON TWP., PA ON 7/7/2011 (NOTE THIS WAS SCHEDULED AND IT WAS MADE CLEAR TO CHRYSLER THAT THE TWO VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED AND CRACKED). CAR PICKED UP FROM FRANK STIFTER WHERE HE INDICATED ONLY ONE VALVE STEM WAS BAD. I ASKED THAT HE SHOW ME WHAT HE SAW AND SHARED WITH FRANK THAT OUR MECHANIC WARNED AND DOCUMENTED TWO FRONT STEMS BAD. HE INSISTED ONLY ONE AND SHOWED ME. AFTER LEAVING I WENT BACK TO WOLBERT AUTO WHO SPECIFICALLY SHOWED ME THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE FRONT TWO CORRODED AND CRACKED (NUT AND VALVE) BUT THAT THE BACK TWO WERE ALREADY CORRODING AND COULD SOON CRACK. SAME DAY 07/07/11 CALLED CHRYSLER AND INDICATED THEY MAY WANT TO REPLACE ALL FOUR AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. LATER ON 07/07/11 TOOK TWO DAUGHTERS TO MOVIES AND TIRE FAILS ON EXIT. PATRON TOOK ME TO THEATER, 911 CALL MADE, TOW REQUESTED, HUSBAND NOTIFIED TO RESUCE US. ALL IN ONE DAY. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ON A RAMP AND NOT 79 S AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED. MY CHILDREN WERE DEVISTATED. NOTE ALSO I TOLD FRANK THAT I HAD CONCERN FOR SAFETY WITH THREE KIDS AND PLAYED OUT A SENARIO OVER THE PHONE. WITHIN 90 MIN. OF OUR CONVERSTAION THE SCENARIO BECAME A FEARFUL REALITY. FRANK SAID I NEEDED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER AND THAT IT IS NOT THE JOB OF MICKS JOB TO DO SO. I FEEL THAT MICKS DODGE IS AT FAULT FOR NOT BEING PREPARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR WHICH IT WAS SCHEDULED IN THEIR MAINTENANCE DEPT. AND CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PROTECT OUR T&C DRIVING CITIZENS. LIVES MATTER IN THE CASE OF A VERY POOR DESIGN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410971

25,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011

Tires

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FAILURE OF 3 TPMS VALVE STEMS.(TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR) TPMS IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL WITH A ALUMINUM VALVE STEM AND ALUMINUM NUT. THE NUTS AND STEMS ARE CORRODING AND THE NUT IS CRACKING. THE SENSOR AND STEM IS HELD IN PLACE BY AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE BUT IT BEGINS LEAKING AIR AFTER THE NUT CRACKS. TIRE LEAKS 1-2 PSI PER MILE AT 65MPH. CAN NOT ADD AIR TO TIRE BECAUSE WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE VALVE STEM IT PUSHES INTO THE RIM. 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY WITH 30 THOUSAND MILES. THE TIRES ON THE VAN HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN REPLACED YET. VALVE STEMS ON THE SENSORS ARE BARE ALUMINUM WITH NO CORROSION PROTECTION. TPMS APPEAR TO BE MADE BY SIEMENS VDO AND ARE NOT MADE BY CHRYSLER. STEMS NEED TO MADE FROM A MORE CORROSION RESISTANT METAL OR NEED TO BE ANODIZED. CHRYSLER HAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY SO FAR BUT VALVE STEMS/SENSOR DON'T LAST 3 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404240

38,582 miles · Apr 21, 2011

Tires

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I BELIEVE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM COMPONENTS ARE BADLY CONSTRUCTED. I HAVE JUST HAD MY 2ND ONE BUST WHILE TRYING TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. I AM LUCKY THAT BOTH TIMES THEY BROKE I WAS AT A PLACE THAT COULD IMMEDIATELY PUT IN A REGULAR VALVE STEM SO THAT I COULD STILL USE MY CAR.....BOTH TIMES MY TIRES DEFLATED BECAUSE THE TOP WHERE THE AIR IS PUT IN BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE STEM.....MADE WITH ALUMINUM????? WHY???? NOW I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHER ONES LEFT ON MY CAR TO BREAK......CAR IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD (2008 CHRYSLER TOWN N COUNTRY) THE 1ST ONE THAT BROKE WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE 2ND ONE WHICH PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT.......THESE NEED TO BE EXAMINED FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL....THEY NEED TO BE MADE TO LAST. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER ZONE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS......I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING AND FOR ONE TO BREAK.....I FORESEE MAJOR LAWSUITS IF THIS HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397035

27,662 miles · Mar 24, 2011

Tires

THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 08 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY ARE FAILING AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392793

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2010

Air BagsTiresCrashInjury

2008 CHRYSLER TOWN&COUNTRY, LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DROVE OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY STRIKING THE RIGHT OF WAY FENCE.* BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0440-90)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A MINOR SHOULDER INJURY. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATE…

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NHTSA ODI #10354257

Official recalls

20V396000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Jul 7, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

16V047000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jan 29, 2016

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

14V373000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jun 26, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

14V055000 · SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED Axle Assembly

Feb 11, 2014

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

11V394000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Aug 3, 2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER, TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 24, 2007, THROUGH JULY 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) CONDENSATE LEAK FROM THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET ONTO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL (ORC) MODULE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Air Bags:frontal

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

10V611000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Dec 8, 2010

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WATER LEAK At THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) DRAIN GROMMET WHICH CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

09V351000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Sep 11, 2009

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 AMERIVAN MOBILITY VEHICLES BUILT ON CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN PLATFORMS VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND NOT SECURED PROPERLY DURING THE ALTERATION. IF NOT ROUTED AND SECURED PROPERLY, THE BRAKE LINES COULD RUB AGAINST THE VEHICLE CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.

Remedy: ELDORADO NATIONAL AMERIVAN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE BRAKE LINES WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED THEY WILL BE CORRECTLY REINSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-800-955-9086. THESE MINIVANS HAVE BEEN ALTERED INTO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES BY ELDORADO. THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED BY CHRYSLER GROUP LLC AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED AT NO COST BY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALERS UNLESS THEY ARE ALSO AN ELDORADO NATIONAL DEALER.

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

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

RQ14002 · Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Mar 2, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:module

In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Electrical System:ignition:module