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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.

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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

Engine complaints

322 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2018
Engine

MY CAR RECENTLY STARTED A TICKING NOISE THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. TICKING INCREASES WHILE VEHICLE ACCELERATES.

NHTSA ODI #11143719

40,000 miles · Sep 18, 2018
Engine

AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES WHILE ON A HIGHWAY MY JEEP SUDDENLY SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND I LOST ACCELERATION ON IT. TOOK IT TO MY LIFE TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE EVERYWHERE ON THE ENGINE. HE CHANGED THE OIL OUT, CLEANED OUT THE ENGINE BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE OIL TANK OR HOSES. A YEAR LATE…

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AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES WHILE ON A HIGHWAY MY JEEP SUDDENLY SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND I LOST ACCELERATION ON IT. TOOK IT TO MY LIFE TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE EVERYWHERE ON THE ENGINE. HE CHANGED THE OIL OUT, CLEANED OUT THE ENGINE BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE OIL TANK OR HOSES. A YEAR LATER, NOW AT 40,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMES ON. MECHANIC READS A "MISFIRE" ERROR. HE CHANGES OUT ALL MY SPARK PLUGS, THE IGNITION COIL AND THE PLENUM GASKET. CLEANS OUT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR IS HUMMING BEAUTIFULLY AGAIN. BUT 5 DAYS LATER, AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MECHANIC CHECKS EVERYTHING HE DID AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HE RESEARCHED AND THINKS IT COULD BE THE EXHAUST VALVE SEATS BEING WORN OUT. RECOMMENDS I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. LOW AND BEHOLD, THEY DISCOVER THAT A CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED! APPARENTLY AN ISSUE THEY KEEP ENCOUNTERING FREQUENTLY IN THIS MODEL. I'VE SEEN IT POSTED ON A BUNCH OF THREADS REGARDING JEEPS. THANK GOODNESS I WAS 4 DAYS AWAY FROM MY 5 YEAR WARRANTY TO EXPIRE WHEN THIS HAPPENED!!!! I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL THE 2014 JEEPS TO MAKE SURE THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED ONCE AND FOR ALL. MY VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL PER YOUR SYSTEM, BUT ALL 2014 JEEPS SHOULD BE CHECKED SINCE IT'S OCCURRING SO FREQUENTLY, AND PEOPLE WILL BE OUT OF THEIR WARRANTY SOON WITH THAT YEAR'S MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11130183

50,000 miles · Jul 27, 2018
Engine

OIL FILTER ADAPTER PART NO. 68105583AA FAILS AND CAUSES OIL LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #11114203

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2018
Engine

CRACKED OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT. FOLLOWING A REGULAR OIL CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI #11094051

51,894 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Engine

OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HAS GONE OUT. MY JEEP HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE OIL PRESSURE IS FINE AND YET I NEED TO REPLACE THIS $45 SWITCH WHICH WILL I'M BEING TOLD WILL TAKE 4 HOURS BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE. THIS CAME ON AFTER MY LAST OIL CHANGE. DISCOVERED THE ISSUE WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A CODE 5…

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OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HAS GONE OUT. MY JEEP HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE OIL PRESSURE IS FINE AND YET I NEED TO REPLACE THIS $45 SWITCH WHICH WILL I'M BEING TOLD WILL TAKE 4 HOURS BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE. THIS CAME ON AFTER MY LAST OIL CHANGE. DISCOVERED THE ISSUE WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A CODE 520. PARTS MANAGER STATED THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND ON CARS WITH LESS THA. 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11084828

84,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
EnginePower Train

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (ACCORDING TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP) MY OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKED AND LEAKED MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE ENGINE'S OIL INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED IN 10 MINUTES AND EXTREMELY OVERHEATED THE ENGINE FROM THE TIME IT HAPPENED TO THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAFELY PARK. THE OIL MIXING W…

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WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (ACCORDING TO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP) MY OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKED AND LEAKED MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE ENGINE'S OIL INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THIS OCCURRED IN 10 MINUTES AND EXTREMELY OVERHEATED THE ENGINE FROM THE TIME IT HAPPENED TO THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAFELY PARK. THE OIL MIXING WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED IT TO TURN INTO A THICK MUD-LIKE CONSISTENCY THAT CLOGGED UP THE COOLING SYSTEM AND AFTER LETTING IT COOL DOWN I OPENED THE RADIATOR THEN A THICK BROWN OILY/COOLANT MIXTURE SEEPED OUT OF THE RADIATOR. SO THE RADIATOR WAS HOLDING PRESSURE PRIOR TO BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OIL COOLER HOUSING UNDER WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR HOSES BUT IS NOW SAYING MY RADIATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT AND NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE THE JEEP NOT HAVING ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO A HOLE BLOWING OPEN IN THE ENGINE AND LEAKING OUT OIL. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TEST THE ENGINE ANY FURTHER EVEN THOUGH IT RAN FOR 10 MINUTES WITH LITTLE TO NO OIL IN IT WHICH MOST LIKELY CAUSED PRE-MATURE WEAR. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY $800+ FOR A NEW RADIATOR. I BOUGHT THIS JEEP 40 DAYS AGO FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND IT'S STILL COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET MY JEEP OUT OF THEIR DEALERSHIP AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN BY SPENDING THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY.

NHTSA ODI #11083969

39,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Engine

OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKED. THIS OCCURRED AT LESS THAN 40,000. I WAS LUCKY THAT I NOTICED IT IN MY GARAGE RATHER THEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME WITH THE 2014S. …

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OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKED. THIS OCCURRED AT LESS THAN 40,000. I WAS LUCKY THAT I NOTICED IT IN MY GARAGE RATHER THEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME WITH THE 2014S. COME ON FCA CAN YOU SERIOUSLY CANT FIX THIS ISSUE. I MEAN REALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11079195

65,000 miles · Jan 31, 2018
EnginePower Train

CASTING SAND FROM THE HEADS HAS CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM LEADING TO MY RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE BECOMING CLOGGED WITH SEDIMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11066160

60,000 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Engine

OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. GIVEN THE RELATIVELY SLOW BUT CONSISTENT LEAK THIS PROBLEM CAN GO VERY EASILY UNNOTICED BUT RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. IF THIS PART COMPLETELY FAILS THERE MAY BE NO WARNING TIME AND CAUSE ENGINE SEIZE AND/OR PERMAN…

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OIL COOLER HOUSING CRACKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. GIVEN THE RELATIVELY SLOW BUT CONSISTENT LEAK THIS PROBLEM CAN GO VERY EASILY UNNOTICED BUT RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. IF THIS PART COMPLETELY FAILS THERE MAY BE NO WARNING TIME AND CAUSE ENGINE SEIZE AND/OR PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE. PART HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN MANY 2014 AND OTHER YEAR JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND VEHICLES SUSPECTED TO HAVE THIS PART INSPECTED FOR LEAKING OIL. IN MY SCENARIO I NOTICED DRIPPING OIL FROM AROUND BOTH SIDES OF THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING BUT UNABLE TO TRACE TO THE SOURCE AT FIRST. AFTER READING A FEW FORUMS I LOOKED DOWN ALONG SIDE THE OIL FILTER HOUSING AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF OIL LAYING IN THE VALLEY OF THE ENGINE. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS VERY SAME ISSUE AND THE FACT THAT THE PART HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED SO MANY TIMES AND CAN CAUSE SAFETY CONCERNS, I WOULD LIKE NHTSA SO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11063460

60,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Engine

OIL FILTER HOUSING LEAK. $700 REPAIR. THIS IS A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED FOR GOOD WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL ACTUALLY HOLD UP. THIS PIECE FAILED AT 60000 MILES...

NHTSA ODI #11061988

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

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