← New search

2014 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Wrangler years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Jeep Wrangler are substantially higher than the model-year median of 265.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

469 reports with mileage · 185 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.

  • Engine. Review the 322 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports24 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

82 reports
Clear category filter
60,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A USED WRANGLER UNLIMITED I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES P0205 AND P0305. UPON READING UP ON THESE CODES IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 3.6L PENTASTAR ENGINE. THE INJECTOR COIL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED IN CYLINDER 5 SO MY GUESS IS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAS SLIGHTLY …

Read full complaint

FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A USED WRANGLER UNLIMITED I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES P0205 AND P0305. UPON READING UP ON THESE CODES IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 3.6L PENTASTAR ENGINE. THE INJECTOR COIL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED IN CYLINDER 5 SO MY GUESS IS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER ENGINE WARRANTY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME WAS AFTER A 120 MILE DRIVE. I STOPPED FOR GAS AND WHEN I TURNED THE JEEP BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325006

41,000 miles · Apr 1, 2020
Electrical System

THE JEEP WILL NOT START-STATIONARY. IT CRANKS OVER BUT DOES NOT START. THE JEEP IS EQUIPPED WITH A FAULTY TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)

NHTSA ODI #11319977

124,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS INCLUDES THE HORN, CHANNEL AND VOLUME CONTROL. THEY WILL WORK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 45DEG FROM TOP DEAD CENTER. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE "CLOCK" SPRING ASSEMBLY BEHIND THE AIR BAG. JEEP CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT FOR RHD WRANGLERS AN…

Read full complaint

MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS INCLUDES THE HORN, CHANNEL AND VOLUME CONTROL. THEY WILL WORK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 45DEG FROM TOP DEAD CENTER. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE "CLOCK" SPRING ASSEMBLY BEHIND THE AIR BAG. JEEP CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT FOR RHD WRANGLERS AND THEIR CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE LHD (LEFT HAND DRIVE) MODELS AS WELL. I AM TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. NOTE THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11301561

120,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

EARLY MAY 2019 MY JEEP'S STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, RADIO AND HANDS FREE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CAN NOT USE MY DASH SCREEN AT ALL AND IT'S JUST SHOWING '- - '. I COULD NOT USE MY HORN ON MAY10TH AND WAS CUT OFF AND AS A RESULT WAS IN AN ACCI…

Read full complaint

EARLY MAY 2019 MY JEEP'S STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, RADIO AND HANDS FREE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CAN NOT USE MY DASH SCREEN AT ALL AND IT'S JUST SHOWING '- - '. I COULD NOT USE MY HORN ON MAY10TH AND WAS CUT OFF AND AS A RESULT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FRONT END WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I BUSTED MY FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. DIAGNOSTIC SCAN SAID THERE WAS 0 CODES PRIOR TO ACCIDENT AND THAT TRIGGERED ME TO DO RESEARCH ON THE CLOCK SPRING RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT UNDER IT???

NHTSA ODI #11240346

70,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON INCLUDING TRACTION LIGHT AND ABS AND FEELS LIKE MY BRAKES ARE PUMPING EVEN WHEN I DID NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES WITH DINGING SOUND RADIO SHUTS OFF, HORN DOES NOT WORK OR THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO WORK THE RADIO. VERY DANGEROUS ESP WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11240234

50,000 miles · May 3, 2019
Electrical System

LEFT HAND SIDE TOGGLE ( THAT SWITCHES TURN SIGNALS ON AND OFF) CAUSES LCD DISPLAY TO GLITCH OUT WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT CONTROL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY UP. FRIED MY LCD, REPLACEMENT $6000, NOW I NEED TO REPLACE HE TOGGLE , $375. ONLY GLITCHES ON ONE PARTICULAR SETTING.

NHTSA ODI #11205436

115 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

REGARDING COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11175198. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN MY COMPLAINT WAS SENT TO JEEP US CUSTOMER CARE, FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (FCA) FIRST, AND THEY FWD IT TO THE JEEP CHRYSLER REGIONAL MANAGER FOR APPROVAL TO OPEN A "STAR" CASE SO ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS AT FCA COULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM ON THE JEEP …

Read full complaint

REGARDING COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11175198. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN MY COMPLAINT WAS SENT TO JEEP US CUSTOMER CARE, FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (FCA) FIRST, AND THEY FWD IT TO THE JEEP CHRYSLER REGIONAL MANAGER FOR APPROVAL TO OPEN A "STAR" CASE SO ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS AT FCA COULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM ON THE JEEP AS IDENTIFIED TO YOU. THE REGIONAL MAINTENANCE MANAGER --REFUSED TO OPEN THE "STAR" CASE --FEARING THAT THE IDENTIFIED ELECTRICAL & ENGINE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A RECALL AND SAFETY RECALL. ON 2-18-2019 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM US CUSTOMER CARE AT FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE, AND TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE AREA MANAGEMENT REFUSAL TO OPEN A "STAR" MY CASE WITH THEM HAS BEEN CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI #11180932

1,000 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Electrical System

I REPORTED TO MY DEALER APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2014 THAT AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE IN MOTION ALL SAFETY LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF AND THERE WOULD BE A DING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I EVEN TOOK IT IN ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS…

Read full complaint

I REPORTED TO MY DEALER APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2014 THAT AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE IN MOTION ALL SAFETY LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF AND THERE WOULD BE A DING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I EVEN TOOK IT IN ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SINCE IT HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. THEY HAVE TEST DROVE IT BUT NEVER COULD GET IT TO DO WHAT I DESCRIBED. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN DECEMBER 2018. IT JUST HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT IS VERY SCARY AND SEEMS DANGEROUS SINCE ALL THE SAFETY LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, RPM GAUGE DROPS ETC PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE IT SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF, BUT IT IS STILL VERY CONCERNING

NHTSA ODI #11180227

125,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING MODERATE SPEED ON A RURAL RD (EST MILES 115K), ALL RED & YELLOW LIGHTS CAME ON, "NO BUS" LIGHT CAME ON WHICH IS NOT LISTED IN THE OPS MANUAL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, RPM GAUGE WENT TO ZERO, FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH TO POSSIBLE STALL. WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME 10 MIN…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MODERATE SPEED ON A RURAL RD (EST MILES 115K), ALL RED & YELLOW LIGHTS CAME ON, "NO BUS" LIGHT CAME ON WHICH IS NOT LISTED IN THE OPS MANUAL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, RPM GAUGE WENT TO ZERO, FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH TO POSSIBLE STALL. WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME 10 MIN OR SO EVERYTHING CAME BACK TO NORMAL AND JEEP RAN OK. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO MY WIFE WHO IS A RURAL MAIL CARRIER ON MANY OCCASIONS. IN FACT IN 1 WEEK IT HAPPENED EVERY DAY AND IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER A LONG PERIOD. JEEP SERVICE FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AS THE CODES DO NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. THEY "THINK" POSSIBILITY IT COULD BE PWR FUSE BOX, MAIN COMPUTER OR FWD INSTRUMENT PANEL EA AT A COST OF OVER $1000 TO REPLACE. SERVICE FOLKS WANT T JEEP BROUGHT TO THEM WITH LIGHTS ON, GAUGES ZERO, ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING BUT IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THEY ARE 30 MILES OR MORE AWAY DEPENDING WHERE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. SERVICE FOLKS HAVE HAD THE JEEP FOR A TOTAL OF 3 DAYS IN JAN & FEB AND DROVE IT OVER 150 MILE AND THE PROBLEM NEVER APPEARED. IN FEB 2015 WHILE DRIVING (24,171 MILES) THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME "ON" AND JEEP STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN SO JEEP WAS THEN TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT A FAULT CODE SAID "WIRING DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH SLACK BETWEEN SENSOR & WIRING CAUSING POOR CONNECTION". REPLACED CAM SENSOR & WIRING. FAULT CLEARED. HAVE PHOTOS OF DASH WITH "ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES SHOWING ZERO AND NO BUS LIGHT ON AND WIPERS GOING BACK AND FORTH. I'LL SEND IF YOU NEED THEM BUT IT ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES WHICH ARE DEPICTED IN THE OPS MANUAL. THIS POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FIRE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED OVER MANY MONTHS THROUGHOUT 2018.

NHTSA ODI #11175198

31,000 miles · Dec 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE OIL SENSOR SWITCH LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 31K MILES AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. PLEASE LMK IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX] VEHICLE IS RARELY USED. AT THE TIME I NOTICED THE ENG…

Read full complaint

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE OIL SENSOR SWITCH LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 31K MILES AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. PLEASE LMK IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX] VEHICLE IS RARELY USED. AT THE TIME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT A WEEK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI #11163947

Official recalls

4

19V680000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 26, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.

19V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

16V288000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 11, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.

14V632000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Oct 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured March 20, 2014, to April 22, 2014, and 2014 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured March 21, 2014, to April 22, 2014. Due to a software error, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tire pressure warning light will illuminate, despite the the tire pressures being within specification. Should one of the tires lose air pressure, the driver would not be notified of the change in air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the TPMS module, free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P63.

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

4

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.

PE19008 · Seat Belt Buckle Bracket Failure

Opened Jul 29, 2019 · Closed Dec 12, 2019

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

On July 17, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-008 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Jeep Wrangler (JK platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (RHD) use. On August 8, 2019, ODI issued an information request (IR) letter to FCA.The scope of the IR included all JK Wrangler produced for sale in the U.S. (both left- and right-hand drive), and amongst other things, requested any reports or allegations of driver's seat belt bracket failures on these vehicles. In its review of FCA's response, ODI determined that approximately 1.7 million JK Wrangler were produced from MY 2007 to 2018, about 16,000 of which were configured for RHD. ODI notes that the RHD Wrangler are typically used for rural postal delivery which often experience a more severe duty cycle. Also RHD JK was was not produced in MY 2007.As explained in the IR response, FCA identified three distinct populations of JK Wrangler concerning the driver's seat belt bucket bracket; specifically the MY 2007-2018 LHD (~1.7M units), the MY 2008-2010 RHD (4,563 units), and the MY 2011-2018 RHD (11,463 units) populations.FCA provided details on the designs used in each of these populations, identifying specific differences deemed pertinent to the strength and durability of each unique bracket design. FCA further reviewed its analysis of the complaint and warranty data identified under the IR, and noting that it had not identified any allegations of bracket failures on the LHD population, and only one allegation on the MY 2008-2010 RHD vehicles. By comparison, FCA identified 24 allegations of bracket failure for the MY 2011-2018 RHD JK, including two reports duplicative of the VOQs. Neither the FCA nor the VOQ reports allege an injury or fatality due to bracket failure. Based on this analysis, FCA decided to conduct a safety recall for the MY 2011-2018 RHD JK population. On September 30, 2019, FCA submitted a Defect Information Report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 19V-680 (FCA No. VA6). Under the recall action, FCA will replace the driver's seat belt bracket on MY 2011-2018 RHD Jeep JK Wrangler. The repair will be conducted free of charge.In view of FCA's recall action, and its explanations of the scope of that action, ODI is closing PE19-008. ODI will continue to monitor the non-recalled RHD, and the LHD JK Wrangler for evidence of seat belt bracket failure and will take further action if warranted.The three VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers:11190251, 11218472, 11231639.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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

Go deeper into Jeep Wrangler problems