TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE AND WHEEL SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE COULD OCCASIONALLY BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
2014 Dodge Avenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Dodge Avenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 157.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger 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
145 reports with mileage · 60 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
42 reportsON DECEMBER 10, 2016, I TOOK MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS STALLING/SHUTTING OFF WHEN STOPPED OR GETTING READY TO STOP. NOTHING WAS FOUND. ON DECEMBER 13, 2016;MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH COMING VERY CLOSE TO GETTING HIT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE T…
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ON DECEMBER 10, 2016, I TOOK MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS STALLING/SHUTTING OFF WHEN STOPPED OR GETTING READY TO STOP. NOTHING WAS FOUND. ON DECEMBER 13, 2016;MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH COMING VERY CLOSE TO GETTING HIT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) NEEDED REPLACEMENT. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THANKFULLY! ! THIS PART HAS A 2-YEAR WARRANTY ONLY! ONCE TOLD OF THE TIPM ISSUE, I WENT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED THIS PART. I SAW MANY MODELS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER HAD SETTLED A LAWSUIT OVER THOUSANDS/MILLIONS OF 2007-2014 CHRYSLER VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE TIPM'S. JUST LAST WEEK I SAW A DODGE CHARGER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WONDER IF THIS WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE. AT THIS POINT, I CAN'T REFER ANYONE TO BUY ANY CHRYSLER VEHICLE.....SUCH A SHAME BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE MY CAR, BUT AFTER THIS ORDEAL, I'M PARANOID WONDERING WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG!! *TR
MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER HAS A FAULTY TIPM. THIS HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING, LACK OF POWER STEERING, AND NO LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION! NOW IT HAS CAUSED MY WIPERS TO ST…
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MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER HAS A FAULTY TIPM. THIS HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING, LACK OF POWER STEERING, AND NO LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION! NOW IT HAS CAUSED MY WIPERS TO STOP WORKING! THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD. CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND HAS TRIED TO IGNORE, DENY, EVEN COVER IT UP SINCE BEFORE 2008. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE BEEN DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED BY THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN FRONT PAGE NEWS! AS AN UBER AND LYFT DRIVER I CAN'T MAKE A LIVING NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. CHRYSLER HAS ALREADY BEEN SUED OVER THIS AND NEED TO BE CONTINUED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY HAVE GIVEN NO EFFORT TO RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES YET, ONLY A FEW MODELS THAT WERE HEAVILY MENTIONED IN THE LAWSUIT. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE. THIS PART COSTS AT LEAST $1000 FOR THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE ONLY TO BE ENDANGERED BY IT YET AGAIN. CHRYSLER HAS ACTED LAZILY AND UNSCRUPULOUSLY REGARDING THIS MATTER AND I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED. AMERICAN CONSUMERS DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS. THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR FROM A CAR MANUFACTURER IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE MUST HAVE A NO CHARGE RECALL ASAP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AS OF MARCH, I HAD FRONT DAMAGE HIT PRETTY HARD AT LEAST THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK IT STARTED CUTTING OFF FOR NO REASON. I TOOK IT BACK TO AUTO SHOP THAT FIXED IT WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO REVVING UP BETWEEN THE 3 AND 5 RPM AND BARELY MOVING TH…
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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AS OF MARCH, I HAD FRONT DAMAGE HIT PRETTY HARD AT LEAST THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK IT STARTED CUTTING OFF FOR NO REASON. I TOOK IT BACK TO AUTO SHOP THAT FIXED IT WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO REVVING UP BETWEEN THE 3 AND 5 RPM AND BARELY MOVING THE LIGHTEST TOUCH IT WOULD STAY STUCK BETWEEN THOSE EVEN SLOWING DOWN TO LESS 25 MPH AS SOON AS STEP ON THE GAS IT WILL SHOOT RIGHT BACK UP BETWEEN 3 AND 5 RPM AND REV.. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN THE KEY REALLY HARD TO TURN ON AND IT WOULD GO BACK REGULAR. MY CAR RANDOMLY CUTS OFF WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IF I AM IN REVERSE AND START TO BACK UP IT STALLS, JERKS THEN CUTS OFF . THE DEALERSHIP AND AUTO SHOP ARE NOT FINDING ANYTHING "WRONG" WITH IT. UNKNOWN OF WHAT PATICULAR SYSTEM THIS IS I WAS TOLD FUEL LINE BUT I THINK ITS THE ENGINE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO BACK . IT IS HAPPENING ON AND OFF AND NO ONE WILL LOOK AT IT UNLESS IM PAYING OUT OF POCKET THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 30,000 MILES.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND AS I CAME TO A LIGHT MY CAR STARTED TO IDLE REALLY ROUGH LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL THE RPMS WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ALMOST 200RPM THEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HIT THE GAS A BIT SO IT WOULDN'T STALL AND IT REVVED UP TO 1000 RPM AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT …
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND AS I CAME TO A LIGHT MY CAR STARTED TO IDLE REALLY ROUGH LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL THE RPMS WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ALMOST 200RPM THEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HIT THE GAS A BIT SO IT WOULDN'T STALL AND IT REVVED UP TO 1000 RPM AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHED AT ME . THEN I RESTARTED MY CAR AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON . THE CAR WAS IDLEING REALLY ROUGH. I HAVE THE 2.4L I-4. ITS NEVER RAN THAT WAY BEFORE SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES LATER IT DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I AM OUT OF MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY SO A DEALER WANTED 100 JUST TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE COMPUTER SCANNED AND HE SAID THEIR WERE NO CODES. HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES COULD BE EITHER . THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME . THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS BACKING PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AS I WAS GIVING IT A LITTLE BIT OF GAS IT SLAMMED INTO REVERSE IT ALMOST FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF THE CAR. AND IT CHIRPED THE TIRES. THEN AFTER I BACKED OUT MY ENGINE STALLED AND THE ETC LIGHT CAME ON. ( ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL)THEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND IT DROVE FINE LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A HALT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE FAULTY. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE FAULTY. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED HOT AIR FROM THE DRIVER SIDE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE HOT AIR INTENSIFIED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HOT AIR WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. MA 10/23/15 UPDATED 12/11/2017*CN
MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. NORMALLY IT WILL BE WHEN I NEED TO TURN, I WILL SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP AND THEN HIT THE GAS. IT HAS STALLED TWICE NOW AND THE OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO.
I WAS TRYING TO REVERSE AFTER MAKING A U-TURN ON A BUSINESS AVENUE IN QUEENS, NY AND AFTER TURNING AROUND, I PUT THE CAR IN RESERVE TO GO BACK A LITTLE BIT TO COMPLETE MY U-TURN, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE, INSTEAD MOVES FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE POSITION. I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT BACK ON, …
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I WAS TRYING TO REVERSE AFTER MAKING A U-TURN ON A BUSINESS AVENUE IN QUEENS, NY AND AFTER TURNING AROUND, I PUT THE CAR IN RESERVE TO GO BACK A LITTLE BIT TO COMPLETE MY U-TURN, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE, INSTEAD MOVES FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE POSITION. I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT BACK ON, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. SOMEONE HELP ME PUSH IT BACK WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT WAS OK AFTER THAT. MY CHILDREN WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY AVE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY FOR EVERYONE. MY CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WITH ME IN MY CAR. PLEASE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS. THANK YOU. *TR
Official recalls
116V668000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 15, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
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
1PE19014 · 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.
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