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2017 Dodge Charger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

128 reports
4,900 miles · Nov 17, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemInjury

SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE MY CAR AND WHEN THE AIR WAS ON THE SMELL WAS COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I BROUGHT IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SMELLED THE GAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. THEY PULLED UP MY BACKSEATS AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS THAT LEAKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP. …

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SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE MY CAR AND WHEN THE AIR WAS ON THE SMELL WAS COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I BROUGHT IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SMELLED THE GAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. THEY PULLED UP MY BACKSEATS AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS THAT LEAKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND A FEW DAYS AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK WHEN I FILLED UP MY TANK AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THIS TIME IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. AFTER THAT 2ND REPAIR I GOT MY CAR BACK AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER AFTER I FILLED UP MY TANK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE 3RD TIME THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE GAS TANK. THE CAR STILL HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL THAT CAUSES ME TO HAVE HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, AND NAUSEA. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE LATELY SINCE I'VE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LEAKING GAS I'VE BEEN GETTING ALOT OF STATIC SHOCK WHEN I TOUCH MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11046924

1,641 miles · Oct 26, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

NEWLY PURCHASED STOCK VEHICLE WITH 1641 MILES WITH VERY LIGHT USE. DRIVING LOW SPEED IN STREET TRAFFIC THE MODULES WENT OFFLINE OCTOBER 20, 2017 CAUSING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO SHOW BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, LANE SENSE WARNINGS. REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMMED THE MODULES. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AND…

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NEWLY PURCHASED STOCK VEHICLE WITH 1641 MILES WITH VERY LIGHT USE. DRIVING LOW SPEED IN STREET TRAFFIC THE MODULES WENT OFFLINE OCTOBER 20, 2017 CAUSING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO SHOW BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, LANE SENSE WARNINGS. REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMMED THE MODULES. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AND WITHIN 24 HOURS A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHERE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWED BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE SHIFTER, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNINGS. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ITS TRANSMISSION JAMMED IN REVERSE WHILE PARKING. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REVERSED OR MOVED. TOWED VEHICLE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERN TO THE DEALER OCTOBER 22. WAITING SAFETY EVALUATION. *BF CONSUMER5 STATED NO ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WITH THE BCM (ETC) MODULES WAS FOUND. DODGE DEALER SIMPLY REPLACED THE MODULES. UPDATED 9/13/18*JB UPDATED 9/13/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11040071

700 miles · Oct 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE UCONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IN FCA VEHICLES HAS A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE MULTIPLE WEATHER ALERTS FOR AREAS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY. THE ERRANT WEATHER ALERTS TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE SCREEN AND REQUIRE THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO EXIT OUT OF THE ALERT. THE ALERT WILL NOT GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN, AND YOU CANNOT CO…

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THE UCONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IN FCA VEHICLES HAS A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE MULTIPLE WEATHER ALERTS FOR AREAS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY. THE ERRANT WEATHER ALERTS TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE SCREEN AND REQUIRE THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO EXIT OUT OF THE ALERT. THE ALERT WILL NOT GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN, AND YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE RADIO OR HVAC SYSTEM WITHOUT READING AND EXITING OUT OF THE ALERT. ALSO, THE UCONNECT SYSTEM HAS NO OPTION TO DISABLE WEATHER ALERTS. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CANNOT STOP THEM FROM HAPPENING IN THEIR CURRENT BUILD. I'VE CALLED DODGE AND UCONNECT MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION. ALL THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS UCONNECT NEEDS TO ADD THE OPTION IN THE SETTINGS TO TOGGLE WEATHER ALERTS ON OR OFF. IT SHOULD TAKE A PROGRAMMER AN HOUR TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SIMPLE TASK. JUST TODAY I GOT 4 WEATHER ALERTS FOR COUNTIES BETWEEN 140 AND 400 MILES AWAY FROM MY CURRENT LOCATION ON MY 5 MILE DRIVE, EACH ONE REQUIRING ME TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE THE SCREEN TO GET BACK TO THE NAVIGATION PAGE. FORCING DRIVERS TO READ AND INTERACT WITH MULTIPLE DEFECTIVE WEATHER ALERTS CAN BE AS DANGEROUS AS TEXTING AND DRIVING. WHEN I CALLED DODGE, THEY SAID THE ISSUE IS WITH UCONNECT. UCONNECT TOLD ME NOTHING CAN BE DONE. WHEN I MESSAGED DODGE, THEY TOLD ME SIRIUS XM IS TO BLAME FOR SENDING THE ALERTS. SO WE HAVE A 3 WAY FINGER POINTING CONTEST HERE THAT NOBODY WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR. ALL I WANT IS FOR UCONNECT TO GIVE DRIVERS THE OPTION TO DISABLE WEATHER ALERTS TO KEEP THEIR ATTENTION ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11039971

2,900 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Service Brakes

THIS CAR IS POSSESSED. IT WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND COME TO A STOP. THERE WILL BE NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE CAR WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. IT HAS DONE IT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE A SE…

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THIS CAR IS POSSESSED. IT WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND COME TO A STOP. THERE WILL BE NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE CAR WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. IT HAS DONE IT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11024858

4,842 miles · Aug 15, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY 2017 DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA 392 (R/T SCAT PACK) HAS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 77MPH ON INTERSTATE 70 THE EVIC SCREEN INDICATED A FCW WARNING WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED OFF, LOSS OF THE ABS, ESP, SRS, THEN TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRIC STEERING WITH NO THROTTLE OR BREAKING INPUT RESPONSE. SA…

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MY 2017 DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA 392 (R/T SCAT PACK) HAS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 77MPH ON INTERSTATE 70 THE EVIC SCREEN INDICATED A FCW WARNING WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED OFF, LOSS OF THE ABS, ESP, SRS, THEN TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRIC STEERING WITH NO THROTTLE OR BREAKING INPUT RESPONSE. SAID VEHICLE THEN VIOLENTLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 8TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO BREAK TRACTION SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTING IN FULL LOSS OF LATERAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FULLY DEPRESSED THE EMERGENCY BREAK AS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT RESULTING IN FLAT SPOTS ON BOTH REAR TIRES AS I SKIDDED TO A HAULT. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH 4 LOCAL DEALERS IN KANSASCITY TO NO RESOLVE. AFTER THIS FAILURE OCCURS AND THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME THE GAGUE LIGHTNING FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY THEN FLASHING/CLEARING THE PCM WIPING EVERY CODE OUT. ONCE CAPTURED BY A SERVICE WRITER STATIONARY AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP USING THE OBD2 DATA RECORDER WERE 277 FAULTS ALL SIGHTING ELECTRICAL OVER VAULTS AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE TCM. FCA ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER WHO DID NOTHING. AFTER CONSISTENT CALLS TO FCA CORPERATE I WAS ASSIGNED A "STAR CASE" AND SAID CASE WAS GIVEN TO THE 91 TEAM WHO HAVE ALSO DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T JUST DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF BUT OTHER MOTORISTS AS WELL SIGHTING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURS. I PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE MARCH 20, 2017 AND HAVE DEALT WITH THIS SINCE DAY 8 OF OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 8,522 MILES AND THERE'S NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT. I CAN'T EVEN GET LOCAL DEALERS TO CHANGE THE OIL UNDER THE MVP MAXCARE UNLIMITED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11015294

6,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
EnginePower Train

MY 2017 DODGE CHARGER IS EXPERIENCING "HARD SHIFTING" WHEN I GET IN THE VEHICLE AND START DRIVING IT. I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER YESTERDAY (THE SECOND TIME I DROPPED IT OFF) AND THEY SAY THEY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES, THEY ARE REFERRING THE PROBLEM BACK TO DODGE. THEY APPLIED COMPUTER UPDA…

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MY 2017 DODGE CHARGER IS EXPERIENCING "HARD SHIFTING" WHEN I GET IN THE VEHICLE AND START DRIVING IT. I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER YESTERDAY (THE SECOND TIME I DROPPED IT OFF) AND THEY SAY THEY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES, THEY ARE REFERRING THE PROBLEM BACK TO DODGE. THEY APPLIED COMPUTER UPDATES TO THE PCM AND TCM ON THE FIRST TRIP AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 6,700 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10993882

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2017
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT FOR SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USABLE AT NIGHT WITHOUT OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS. A STATE POLICE OFFICER CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND COMMENTED THEY WERE THE WORST HE HAS SEEN. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED!

NHTSA ODI #10982984

460 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Electrical System

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATES THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE ORIGINAL MODULE #68354142 IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH REVISION AA AND REVISION AB BOTH ON BACKORDER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS FOR 24 DAYS WAITING ON NEW MODULE. MODULE …

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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATES THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE ORIGINAL MODULE #68354142 IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH REVISION AA AND REVISION AB BOTH ON BACKORDER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS FOR 24 DAYS WAITING ON NEW MODULE. MODULE IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT DEALERS LOCATION 4/10/2017. THIS MODULE CONTROLS EVERYTHING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IS LINKED TO THE BATTERY. THIS MODULE CREATED A CONSTANT DRAIN OF POWER, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO TAKE ANYWHERE. ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS UNTIL THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10967785

Official recalls

4

18V332000 · Electrical System:software; Electrical System:wiring; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 17, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:software

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Electrical System:wiring

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

18V281000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 1, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

17V496000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Aug 8, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.

17V097000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Feb 14, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.

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

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.