NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
100 reportsClear category filter34,904 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Service BrakesWheels
THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF BRAKES ARE PRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX, MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ROUGHLY 3.5 TO 4 MONTHS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX REPLACED THE ROTORS AND TH…
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THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF BRAKES ARE PRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX, MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ROUGHLY 3.5 TO 4 MONTHS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN PLACED INTO SERVICE LAST WEDNESDAY ON DECEMBER 18, 2013. ONCE AGAIN, THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE BRAKES REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE O JANUARY 17, 2013 WITH THE STARTING MILEAGE OF 34,904. I HAVE PUT ROUGHLY 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE THIRD TIME, I DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET HOPING THAT MIGHT HELP. HOWEVER, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE THAT WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WAS. I CONTACTED DODGE BUT THEY SAY THAT THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND GOD FORBID THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY DECIDED THAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO WORK! APPARENTLY, THERE IS A FLAW IN EITHER PARTS OR DESIGN THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BY DODGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557004
58,000 miles · Dec 3, 2013
Service Brakes
UPON PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, BRAKES AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOW ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS CAR SHAKES WHEN YOU BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554710
50,000 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ELEVEN MONTHS AFT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ELEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECENTLY REPAIRED FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10553030
68,916 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START WITH THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE LATEST ISSUE ASIDE FROM THE CONSTANT BRAKES IT THE ELECTRICAL. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T START, THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AND POWER DROPS AND COMES BACK ON IN THE CAR. THANK GOD IT HAS NOT TURNED O…
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I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START WITH THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE LATEST ISSUE ASIDE FROM THE CONSTANT BRAKES IT THE ELECTRICAL. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T START, THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AND POWER DROPS AND COMES BACK ON IN THE CAR. THANK GOD IT HAS NOT TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC. THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE FROM THE WHEELS FOREVER AND NOW ITS GETTING LOUDER. I WISH THAT DODGE WOULD FIX THESE ISSUES!! ALL ELECTRICAL SHOULD BE CHECK IMMEDIATELY IN THESE CARS BECAUSE AS I READ OTHERS ISSUES IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT SEEMS THEY ARE WAITING FOR REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS AND DEATH BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551436
33,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WORE PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WORE PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10551406
22,240 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesService BrakesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, SHE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS, AND THE BRAKE PADS WE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, SHE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS, AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE OVERHEAD VENT AND ONTO THE REAR SEATS. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ALSO COULD NOT BE LOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB, ONLY MANUALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,240. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545188
4,800 miles · Sep 22, 2013
Service BrakesSteering
ROTORS ARE WARPED CAUSING A SHAKING, WOBBLING STEERING WHEEL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. SO FAR, 3 SETS OF ROTORS HAVE BEEN PUT ON THIS VEHICLE (1 FROM FACTORY AND 2 FOLLOW ON SETS BY DEALER DUE TO CONTINUAL FAILURE OF ROTORS...) THERE ARE ONLY 21000 MILES ON THIS JOURNEY AND IT WILL SOON NEED A 4TH SET OF ROTORS. THE PERSISTENCE OF R…
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ROTORS ARE WARPED CAUSING A SHAKING, WOBBLING STEERING WHEEL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. SO FAR, 3 SETS OF ROTORS HAVE BEEN PUT ON THIS VEHICLE (1 FROM FACTORY AND 2 FOLLOW ON SETS BY DEALER DUE TO CONTINUAL FAILURE OF ROTORS...) THERE ARE ONLY 21000 MILES ON THIS JOURNEY AND IT WILL SOON NEED A 4TH SET OF ROTORS. THE PERSISTENCE OF ROTOR FAILURE MAKES IT HARD TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY AS THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ROTOR FAILURES ARE ALSO CAUSING UNSAFE, PREMATURE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. IN ALL, THE 2010 JOURNEY IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE CONSISTENT ROTOR FAILURES. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DO DO.
NHTSA ODI #10544856
33,707 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Service Brakes
ROY'S DODGE IN GRAND ISLAND, NE WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEM ON MY CAR. VEHICLE BEGIN HAVING METAL GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR BRAKE AREA AND THEN FRONT BRAKE AREA. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. FIX FOR THE PROBLEMS WAS NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND TURN ROTORS. I HAD TOLD THEM…
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ROY'S DODGE IN GRAND ISLAND, NE WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEM ON MY CAR. VEHICLE BEGIN HAVING METAL GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR BRAKE AREA AND THEN FRONT BRAKE AREA. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. FIX FOR THE PROBLEMS WAS NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND TURN ROTORS. I HAD TOLD THEM I WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUES THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING AND ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, HOWEVER IT GOT ME NOWHERE. I CONTACTED DODGE AND SPOKE WITH A VERY FRIENDLY LADY WHO RECOGNIZED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM TO WORK WITH MY ON TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THE REPAIR COSTS DUE TO ONLY HAVING 33,700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS BEING AN ISSUE. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE COST. I WAS FORCED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS TOTALLY OUT OF POCKET ($488)! AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH AND SPEAKING TO OTHER JOURNEY OWNERS I GUESS I SHOULD BE PREPARED TO DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN IN 7000-9000 MORE MILES. DODGE NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL AND MAKE THE SITUATION RIGHT WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THEIR PRODUCT!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544385
34,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Service Brakes
ROTORS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE FAILING, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND VEHICLE TO LEAVE LANE OF TRAVEL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. IN AUGUST 2013 VEHICLE STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND ROTORS WERE FAILING AGAIN. THE ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE DESIGNED TO SMALL FOR THE WEIGHT O…
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ROTORS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE FAILING, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND VEHICLE TO LEAVE LANE OF TRAVEL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. IN AUGUST 2013 VEHICLE STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND ROTORS WERE FAILING AGAIN. THE ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE DESIGNED TO SMALL FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542798
30,000 miles · Aug 25, 2013
EngineService BrakesSteering
SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR DODGE JOURNEY IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WE OWN A 2010 JOURNEY. WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS, STEERING MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE I WITNESS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER PERSONS CAR SAME DODGE JOURNEY WE ALWAYS GET OU…
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SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR DODGE JOURNEY IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WE OWN A 2010 JOURNEY. WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS, STEERING MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE I WITNESS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER PERSONS CAR SAME DODGE JOURNEY WE ALWAYS GET OUR CAR THE NECESSARY OIL CHANGES AND MY ENGINE MAKES A VERY FUNNY NOISE EVEN OUR MECHANIC WAS WORRIED HE TOLD US THAT OUR CAR IS STILL NEW THAT MY ENGINE HAS TO BE LEAKING BECAUSE EVERYTIME WE GET OUR ROUTINE OIL CHANGES IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL. ALSO WHEN I START DRIVING AWAY IT LOSES SPEED AND MAKE A VERY UGLY SOUND. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST INVESTMENT EVER DO NOT THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY ON ANYTHING DODGE OR CHRYSLER GARBAGE EXPENSIVE GARBAGE THEN WHEN YOU CALL THEM UP THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE MORE STRICT ON THESE KIND OF THINGS THIS IS OUR MONEY HERE WE PAY TAXES ON THESE CAR MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537179
NHTSA investigations
4EA24003 · Vehicle Entrapment
Opened Aug 1, 2024 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE19014 · 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
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
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
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