NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
12 reportsClear category filter58,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Wheels
OEM TPMS SENSOR VALVE STEM CRACKED AND BROKE, INSTANTLY DEFLATING TIRE. MATERIAL APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURED FROM ALUMINUM AND SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION APPROX 1/4" BELOW TOP OF FILL HEAD. IF VEHICLE WAS IN HIGH SPEED MOTION AT TIME OF FAILURE, THEN INSTANT TIRE DEFLATION WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL …
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OEM TPMS SENSOR VALVE STEM CRACKED AND BROKE, INSTANTLY DEFLATING TIRE. MATERIAL APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURED FROM ALUMINUM AND SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION APPROX 1/4" BELOW TOP OF FILL HEAD. IF VEHICLE WAS IN HIGH SPEED MOTION AT TIME OF FAILURE, THEN INSTANT TIRE DEFLATION WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND TIRE DAMAGE. A WEB SEARCH FOR SIMILAR ISSUE YIELDS A FEW LEGAL SITES THAT ARE INVESTIGATING ISSUE FOR THE 2009-2010 MODEL YEARS AS LATER MODELS WERE INSTALLED WITH RUBBER STEM.
NHTSA ODI #10916653
58,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Service BrakesWheels
DODGE JOURNEY BRAKE SYSTEM IS UNDERSIZED FOR VEHICLE SIZE AND WEIGHT. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE NEEDING FULL CHANGEOUT AFTER APPROX 25K MILES. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON ODOMETER, AND BRAKE SYSTEM AGAIN MUST BE REPAIRED PREMATURELY. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE REASON DODGE INCREASED THE ROTOR SIZE ON 2011 MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #10916651
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels
DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME THEY REPLACED STARTER SHOWS LOW TIRES , ON ICE . TAILGATE OPEN DOOR OPEN 3 SETS OF TIRES AND BRAKES UNDER 100,00 MILES THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG THEY PARTS AT IT I'M PAYING THE $100. EVERY TIME . DODGE KEEPS SAYING THEY WILL HELP , TALK IS CHEAP !! YOU THINK THEY WOULD TRY TO FIND OUT WHATS …
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DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME THEY REPLACED STARTER SHOWS LOW TIRES , ON ICE . TAILGATE OPEN DOOR OPEN 3 SETS OF TIRES AND BRAKES UNDER 100,00 MILES THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG THEY PARTS AT IT I'M PAYING THE $100. EVERY TIME . DODGE KEEPS SAYING THEY WILL HELP , TALK IS CHEAP !! YOU THINK THEY WOULD TRY TO FIND OUT WHATS WRONG INSTEAD OF THROWING PARTS AT IT !HAVE THE JOURNEY AT LEASE 50 TIMES IT NEVER HAS BEEN FIXED . I HAVE THE LEMON OF LEMONS , AT THE POINT NEVER TO BUY A DODGE , JEEP OR CHYSLER EVER AGAIN !!!!
NHTSA ODI #10822703
42,000 miles · Aug 16, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringWheels
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A LONG DISTANCE ROAD TRIP, WHICH I DO QUITE OFTEN, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS I WAS DECREASING THE SPEED FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY TIRES REPLACED AND THE TPMS ON ONE OF MY WHEELS BECAME CORRODED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I HAD MY BACK BRAKES REPLACED, THE PROBLEM S…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A LONG DISTANCE ROAD TRIP, WHICH I DO QUITE OFTEN, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS I WAS DECREASING THE SPEED FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY TIRES REPLACED AND THE TPMS ON ONE OF MY WHEELS BECAME CORRODED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I HAD MY BACK BRAKES REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. MY MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE AXLE ALONG WITH MY FRONT BRAKES. HOPEFULLY, THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE AND MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE MAKING 8 HOUR ROAD TRIPS OFTEN. I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO THIS VEHICLE AND NEED IT TO SERVICE MY FAMILIES NEEDS. DODGE NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE SAFE AND RELIABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10748959
73,876 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherWheelsFire
BRAKES HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NOT TO MENTION THE TIRES ALSO. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. SINCE THAT TIME THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH THE LAST TIME BEIN…
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BRAKES HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NOT TO MENTION THE TIRES ALSO. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. SINCE THAT TIME THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH THE LAST TIME BEING IN THE LAST 30 DAYS. IT IS LIKE THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES AND TIRES TO BOTH WEAR OUT QUICKLY. LAST NIGHT THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE ON THIS VEHICLE, LUCKY I HAD JUST PULLED IN MY PARKING SPOT WHEN THEY STARTED BURNING AND DIDN'T HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THE JOURNEY THAT HAS HAD BRAKE AND TIRE ISSUES. NOW I AM STUCK WITHOUT ANY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION THANKS TO THE BRAKES CATCHING FIRE (WARPING RIMS AND MELTED TIRES FROM IT). THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #10744989
66,797 miles · Feb 10, 2015
TiresWheels
ROTTED VALVE STEMS, CAUSING TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE VEHICLE STOPPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682548
28,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Wheels
I WENT TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A PERSON REPLACE THE BRAKES AND HE COULDN'T GET THE TIRES OFF. THEY WERE CEMENTED TO THE WHEEL WELL. WHICH IN ITSELF IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE ROAD, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK THE …
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I WENT TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A PERSON REPLACE THE BRAKES AND HE COULDN'T GET THE TIRES OFF. THEY WERE CEMENTED TO THE WHEEL WELL. WHICH IN ITSELF IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE ROAD, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED, THEY BROKE OFF ONE OF THE STUDS THAT HOLD ON THE LUG NUTS. IN REPLACING THE BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 28000 MILES, WHICH IS TOTALLY STUPID, BUT ON THE DODGE JOURNEY, A NECESSITY I GUESS, ON REPLACING ONE OF THE WHEELS AFTER NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED, ANOTHER OF THE LUG NUT STUDS BROKE OFF. THERE WAS NOT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHO'S TO SAY YOU WOULDN'T BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE ANOTHER ONE BREAK OFF. OF COURSE, IN MY CASE, I GUESS THE TIRE WOULD HAVE STAYED ON SINCE IT WAS CEMENTED TO THE WHEEL. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES AND STUDS AND TIRES ON THE ALUMINUM WHEELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640686
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2014
Service BrakesSteeringWheels
I DO NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE 2010 DODGE JOURNEY FOR THE BRAKE, TIRE, AND ROTOR ISSUE! I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE AN ARM AND A LEG BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT A COMMON TIRE/SIZE , THEY WANTED ME TO SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT TIRE SIZE WHICH THEN WOULD AFFECT THE SPEEDOM…
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I DO NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE 2010 DODGE JOURNEY FOR THE BRAKE, TIRE, AND ROTOR ISSUE! I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE AN ARM AND A LEG BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT A COMMON TIRE/SIZE , THEY WANTED ME TO SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT TIRE SIZE WHICH THEN WOULD AFFECT THE SPEEDOMETER.. NO WAY.. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 3 SETS OF ROTORS ON THE CAR AND 2 SETS OF BRAKES, AND GOING ON 2ND SET OF TIRES.. YOU CAN'T TELL ME THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE.. IF I COULD GET RID OF THE LEMON I WOULD BUT FINANCIALLY I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH AN IDENTICAL CAR/COLOR AND WE HAVE THE SAME STORY.. RIDICULOUS! PLEASE HELP THE OWNERS OF THIS LEMON! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607439
34,904 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Service BrakesWheels
THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF BRAKES ARE PRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX, MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ROUGHLY 3.5 TO 4 MONTHS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX REPLACED THE ROTORS AND TH…
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THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF BRAKES ARE PRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX, MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ROUGHLY 3.5 TO 4 MONTHS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE MECHANICS AT CARMAX REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN PLACED INTO SERVICE LAST WEDNESDAY ON DECEMBER 18, 2013. ONCE AGAIN, THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE BRAKES REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE O JANUARY 17, 2013 WITH THE STARTING MILEAGE OF 34,904. I HAVE PUT ROUGHLY 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE THIRD TIME, I DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET HOPING THAT MIGHT HELP. HOWEVER, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE THAT WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WAS. I CONTACTED DODGE BUT THEY SAY THAT THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND GOD FORBID THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY DECIDED THAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO WORK! APPARENTLY, THERE IS A FLAW IN EITHER PARTS OR DESIGN THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BY DODGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557004
33,234 miles · May 13, 2013
Electrical SystemTiresWheels
LOW AIR CAME ON THEN FOUND OUT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR NUT WAS CRACKED ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND THE VALVE STEM CRACKED ON LEFT REAR WHEEL. CALLED TWO DODGE DEALERS AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE ENTIRE SENSOR AT A COST OF $130 EACH, AND THEY ARE REPLACING THEM WITH A NEW SENSOR WITH A RUBBER VALVE FOR …
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LOW AIR CAME ON THEN FOUND OUT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSOR NUT WAS CRACKED ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND THE VALVE STEM CRACKED ON LEFT REAR WHEEL. CALLED TWO DODGE DEALERS AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE REPLACE THE ENTIRE SENSOR AT A COST OF $130 EACH, AND THEY ARE REPLACING THEM WITH A NEW SENSOR WITH A RUBBER VALVE FOR THE SAME REASON I'M HAVING. THEY TOLD ME THE ALUMINUM PARTS(STEM AND NUT) ARE CORRODING FAST CAUSING BREAKAGE OR CRACKS. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH JUST OVER 33K MILES BUT MORE THAN 36 MONTHS. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY IF AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND THOSE PARTS FAIL WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE SENSOR TO POSSIBLY COME OFF AND THEN CAUSE A BLOW OUT TO THE POINT THE CAR MAY LOOSE CONTROL. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND IT IS RISKY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. SCHRADER, THE SENSOR MANUFACTURER, DOES HAVE REPLACEMENT SENSORS WITH RUBBER VALVES AT LESS THAN $50 RETAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511632
NHTSA investigations
4EA24003 · Vehicle Entrapment
Opened Aug 1, 2024 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den
RQ14002 · Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall
Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Mar 2, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:module
In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972
Electrical System:ignition:module
In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972