IllustrationTHE ENGINE HAS RANDOMLY SHUT-DOWN WHILE IN-OPERATION. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BLACK-OUT FOR A MOMENT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT EVENT, THEN POWERS BACK ON. CONCERNS FOR SAFETY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND ITS ABILITY TO BE CONTROLLED WHILE IN-MOTION.
2012 Chrysler Town And Country
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Town And Country years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Chrysler Town And Country are substantially higher than the model-year median of 216.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Town And Country years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
450–25K
7625–50K
7350–75K
5675–100K
97100–150K
25150K+
372 reports with mileage · 262 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 395 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 56 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 reports16 fire reports19 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
395 reportsTIPM FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSED MOTOR STALL IN FRONT OF KINDERGARDEN. LUCKILY AT VERY LOW SPEED AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AS PART OF THE TIPM IS CAUSING STARTING PROBLEMS AND COMPLETELY DRAINED BATTERY (FUEL PUMP SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN OFF AT NIGHTS) AS WELL.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR QUARTER VENT WINDOW SWITCH. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE MY VAN CAUSING ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC DOORS TO CEASE OPENING, LITERALLY TRAPPING MY THEN 3 YEAR OLD TWINS INSIDE THE VAN ON 11/30/16. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN 8/31/17. THE SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES A RECALL …
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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR QUARTER VENT WINDOW SWITCH. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE MY VAN CAUSING ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC DOORS TO CEASE OPENING, LITERALLY TRAPPING MY THEN 3 YEAR OLD TWINS INSIDE THE VAN ON 11/30/16. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN 8/31/17. THE SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES A RECALL ON THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WHEN THE VAN WAS BRAND NEW. IT HAD TO HAVE REPROGRAMMING OF SOFTWARE BECAUSE OF POOR SHIFT QUALITY. THIS WAS DONE ON 1/1/12. THE LAST ALMOST 2 YEARS OF MY LIFE HAVE REVOLVED AROUND THIS ISSUE. MY VAN FREQUENTLY THINKS IT'S STUCK IN REVERSE WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY IN PARK SO IT WON'T START. THIS CAN GO ON FOR DAYS. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/18/16, 11/3/16, 11/30/16, AND AGAIN ON 8/31/17 ALL FOR THIS EXACT REASON. I HAVE NUMEROUS TIME STAMPED PICTURES FROM THE 9 MONTH GAP THAT I STOPPED BRINGING IT IN TO SHOW IT WAS STILL DOING IT. I DIDN'T BRING IT IN, HOWEVER BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED BECAUSE NO CODE CAME UP. THIS TIME CHRYSLER HAS CAME UP WITH 8 THINGS THAT IT IS BUT THEY ARE WAITING ON THE BACK ORDERED POWERTRAIN MODULE TO COMPLETE THE LAST OF THE 8 ITEMS. IN THE MEANTIME THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY OVER $1000 OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL I CAN'T AFFORD. THE FIRST TIME THE ELECTRICAL FIRE HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY IN AN ICE STORM WITH MY CHILDREN AND DOG WHERE THERE WERE NO EXITS. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING WITH THE GIRL I BABYSIT ON A 50MPH ROAD. WHEN THE CAR THINLS IT'S IN REVERSE, IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN THE PICKUP LINE AT SCHOOL CAUSING OTHER PARENTS TP GET ANGRY WHEN I AM BLOCKING EVERYONE. SOMETIMES I GO TO START MY CAR AND IT'S FINE, OTHER DAYS OR MINUTES IT THINKS IT'S IN REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN THE BAIN OF MY EXISTENCE. *TT NO INSPECTION, RO WITH COMPLAINT OF "VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE": 1/11/2016, P25 OPEN AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT UPDATED 7/23/18*JB
DRIVER SIDE REAR VENT WINDOW SWITCH AND THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTION IT PLUGS INTO MELTED WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. I PULLED OVER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND QUICKLY TOOK MY THREE CHILDREN OUT OF MY VAN, LUCKILY NO FIRE STARTED AND NO ONE HURT. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE,…
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DRIVER SIDE REAR VENT WINDOW SWITCH AND THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTION IT PLUGS INTO MELTED WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. I PULLED OVER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND QUICKLY TOOK MY THREE CHILDREN OUT OF MY VAN, LUCKILY NO FIRE STARTED AND NO ONE HURT. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE, MY HUSBAND PULLED THE WINDOW VENT SWITCH OUT TO FIND IT COMPLETLY MELTED ALONG WITH THE CONNECTOR IT PLUGS INTO. NOW KNOWING IT IS A RECALL I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND WOULD LIKE TO GET IT REPAIRED.
MY TOWN AND COUNTRY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE DISABLED. MY HUSBAND HAD TO HAPHAZARDLY PILOT THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY…
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MY TOWN AND COUNTRY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE DISABLED. MY HUSBAND HAD TO HAPHAZARDLY PILOT THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY. I INSISTED THAT A DEAD BATTERY DOES NOT CAUSE A VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF MID DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP RECHECKED IT AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. I GOT IT HOME AND AS I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. I BELIEVE THAT A FAULTY TIPM IS THE REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.
TWO SEPARATE ISSUES ABOUT SIX WEEKS APART. FIRST ISSUE: LIFTERS STARTED TO BREAK DOWN, CAUSING A TAPPING SOUND WHEN RUNNING. WHILE DRIVING, ON THREE OCCASIONS THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE TO ABOUT THE 3/4 MARK (WHERE IT NORMALLY SAT JUST BELOW HALF) AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR BECAME SLUGGISH. METAL SHAVING DAMAGED BOTH …
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TWO SEPARATE ISSUES ABOUT SIX WEEKS APART. FIRST ISSUE: LIFTERS STARTED TO BREAK DOWN, CAUSING A TAPPING SOUND WHEN RUNNING. WHILE DRIVING, ON THREE OCCASIONS THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE TO ABOUT THE 3/4 MARK (WHERE IT NORMALLY SAT JUST BELOW HALF) AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR BECAME SLUGGISH. METAL SHAVING DAMAGED BOTH CAMSHAFTS, COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT COST ABOUT $1500 TO REPAIR. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR JULY 1, 2017, REQUIRED A FULL WEEK TO REPAIR. SECOND ISSUE: THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) FAILED, SYMPTOM WAS ENGINE TURNING OVER BUT NOT STARTING UNTIL TRIED SEVERAL TIMES (PUSH BUTTON START). HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN ISOLATION, TOOK IT IN AFTER HAPPENING TWICE IN A DAY (AND THE THIRD TIME IN A WEEK). TIPM WAS NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. TOOK IN AUGUST 16, 2017, WAS GOING TO REQUIRE ABOUT 3 DAYS TO REPAIR AT A COST OF $1200. WE HAVE VIDEO SHOWING THIS BEHAVIOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM ON MEMORIAL DR C, IN CHICOPEE, MA 01020 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM ON MEMORIAL DR C, IN CHICOPEE, MA 01020 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO METRO CHRYSLER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE FOR THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 09/21/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF INDEPENDENTLY, BUT THE RADIO STAYS ON. THE KEY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS
THE POWER LIFT GATE WAS OPEN AND COLLAPSE ON TO MY WIFE HEAD , AND WILL NOT STAY UP AND WILL NOT LATCH EITHER TO CLOSE THE DOOR THE CAR WAS PARKED AND MY WIFE WAS LOADING GROCERY IN THE TRUNK AND IT GAVE OUT HIT HER IN THE HEAD AS SHE WAS LOADING!!
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTING. THE CAR WAS IN A WORKSHOP FOR 3 DAYS AND THE COMPUTER DIDN'T SHOW ANY CODE. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS OUT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
2012 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BLIND SPOT SENSORS SYSTEM CAUSES A CONSTANT SOUND AND LIGHTS FLASHING INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER SEEKS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENT REPLACEMENT REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE PROVIDED NEW SENSORS OR COMPLETELY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. *…
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2012 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BLIND SPOT SENSORS SYSTEM CAUSES A CONSTANT SOUND AND LIGHTS FLASHING INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER SEEKS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENT REPLACEMENT REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE PROVIDED NEW SENSORS OR COMPLETELY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. *JS
Official recalls
525V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Dec 17, 2025
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
14V234000 · Electrical System
May 7, 2014
Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.
12V191000 · Equipment
May 2, 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
12V141000 · Suspension:rear
Apr 3, 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
11V487000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Sep 29, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. 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
2PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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