IllustrationWHEN DRIVING THE CAR SWAYS AND IT JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL IT WEARS TIRES OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS IT DOES THIS ON ALL HIGHWAYS
2011 Dodge Caliber
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Dodge Caliber do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 165.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caliber 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
290–25K
1625–50K
1450–75K
1775–100K
19100–150K
8150K+
103 reports with mileage · 62 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
165 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND MANUALLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 3 1/2 HOURS WHIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND MANUALLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 3 1/2 HOURS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. I TRIED TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 15 MPH ALMOST GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. THEN THE RPM WOULD ACCELERATE HOWEVER SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T JUSTIFY THE INCREASE. ALSO IT'S SOUNDING WEIRD, KIND OF LIKE VACUUM. BUT DEFINITELY LOSS OF POWER AND SUCKING UP GA…
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I HAVE BEEN NOTICING SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. I TRIED TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 15 MPH ALMOST GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. THEN THE RPM WOULD ACCELERATE HOWEVER SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T JUSTIFY THE INCREASE. ALSO IT'S SOUNDING WEIRD, KIND OF LIKE VACUUM. BUT DEFINITELY LOSS OF POWER AND SUCKING UP GAS . THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND JUDGING BY ALL THE OTHER REVIEWS/COMPLAINTS, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOU NEED TO DO A SERIOUS RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND STOP HAVING US PULLING MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKET TO COVER AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH SAID CALIBERS.
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE; MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING, FRONT WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS BUCKLING AND I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE; ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THATS THE WAY THE BRAKES ARE; TERRIBLE HE SAID. THIS …
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I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE; MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING, FRONT WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS BUCKLING AND I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE; ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THATS THE WAY THE BRAKES ARE; TERRIBLE HE SAID. THIS WAS DONE WHEN IT SNOWED. I DO NOT LIKE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BECAUSE OF THAT REASON; I DROVE A CHEVY MALIBU AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DIDN'T DO WHAT MY CAR DID. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I JUST WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW, THAT SUCKS!!!!! WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HEAR A MOANING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING; PROBABLE DIDN'T TAKE IT OUT FOR A RIDE.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED 4 TIMES, 2 TIMES IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS. I.E. NO THROTTLE CONTROL ON A HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS COST OF $600. PLEASE NOTE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE10012. LOOKS LIKE CHRYSLER HAD THE PROBLEM WITH 2007 CALIBER AND HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM YET.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CAR SUDDENLY DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 30 MPH AFTER THE THROTTLE BODY LIGHT COMES ON. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THE OTHER TIMES WERE ON THE STREET. ONCE I TURN OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT IS FINE, UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW, IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, THIS S…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CAR SUDDENLY DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 30 MPH AFTER THE THROTTLE BODY LIGHT COMES ON. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THE OTHER TIMES WERE ON THE STREET. ONCE I TURN OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT IS FINE, UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW, IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. IT ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES AND GETS SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY, IF THE HEATER IS ON OR OFF, IT JUST HAPPENS.
DRIVING TO MASSACHUSETTS FROM NH...3 HOUR RIDE...JUST OUTSIDE OF SPRINGFIELD, MA ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY DEACCELERATED, LOST POWER, AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WENT FROM APPROX 75/80 MPH DOWN TO 30MPH AND LOWER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THIRD LANE, AND HAD TO TRY TO GET OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE…
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DRIVING TO MASSACHUSETTS FROM NH...3 HOUR RIDE...JUST OUTSIDE OF SPRINGFIELD, MA ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY DEACCELERATED, LOST POWER, AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WENT FROM APPROX 75/80 MPH DOWN TO 30MPH AND LOWER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THIRD LANE, AND HAD TO TRY TO GET OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE WITH A CAR FULL OF KIDS. THIS IS NOT SAFE, AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE SWERVING AROUND ME TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR END. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I WOULD PUT MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS LIKE IT SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE SHIFTING LEVER OFTEN SHIFTS MY CAR INTO MANUAL OPERATION INSTEAD OF AUTOMATIC WITHOUT ME EVEN REALIZING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD START SHAKING AND VIBRATING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE ROUGH AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE PRESENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT BUT WERE PURCHASED NEW WITH SIX MONTHS OF USE. THE CONTACT ALSO NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD START SHAKING AND VIBRATING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE ROUGH AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE PRESENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT BUT WERE PURCHASED NEW WITH SIX MONTHS OF USE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT DURING RAIN WEATHER, THE FRONT DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS WOULD BECOME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AN ALIGNMENT WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED DUE TO THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK AND A BROKEN BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND OCCASIONALLY TO THE LEFT. ONCE A MONTH, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TREAD WORE OUT UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TIRE ALIGNMENT WHO STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WIT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND OCCASIONALLY TO THE LEFT. ONCE A MONTH, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TREAD WORE OUT UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TIRE ALIGNMENT WHO STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER AGREED WITH THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Official recalls
216V668000 · 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.
11V315000 · Steering:column
Jun 8, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 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
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.