NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
322 reportsClear category filter10,385 miles · Sep 14, 2014
Engine
OBSERVED OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE. SUSPECTED THAT THE OIL COOLER WAS LEAKING BASED UPON OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL IN THE VALLEY OF ENGINE AT THE OIL COOLER. ALL THIS WAS OBSERVED AFTER THE SECOND OIL CHANGE (DEALER). PARTS MANAGER AT DEALER STATED THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON THE 2014 MODELS WITH THE…
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OBSERVED OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE. SUSPECTED THAT THE OIL COOLER WAS LEAKING BASED UPON OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL IN THE VALLEY OF ENGINE AT THE OIL COOLER. ALL THIS WAS OBSERVED AFTER THE SECOND OIL CHANGE (DEALER). PARTS MANAGER AT DEALER STATED THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON THE 2014 MODELS WITH THE 3.2 AND 3.6 ENGINE. DEPENDING HOW LARGE THE CRACK IS ON THE COOLER THIS COULD CAUSE ALL THE OIL TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING A FIRE WITH THE HOT EXHAUST OR SEIZING THE ENGINE CAUSING A CRASH. THE OIL FILTER/COOLER WAS REDESIGNED FOR THE 2014 MODEL YEAR. AT THIS POINT IT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING THE 2014 MODEL YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633006
15,550 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Engine
I TOOK IT TO BIG O TIRE TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AS I KNEW THAT SINCE I HAVE OVER SIZE TIRES AND A LIFT KIT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING OIL FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND CHECKED IT WHEN I LEFT WINSLOW AZ. TO GO HOME TO KINGMAN AZ. AND IT WAS JUST A BIT LOW. SO WHEN I PICKED IT UP F…
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I TOOK IT TO BIG O TIRE TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AS I KNEW THAT SINCE I HAVE OVER SIZE TIRES AND A LIFT KIT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING OIL FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND CHECKED IT WHEN I LEFT WINSLOW AZ. TO GO HOME TO KINGMAN AZ. AND IT WAS JUST A BIT LOW. SO WHEN I PICKED IT UP FROM BIG O TIRE FOR THE BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL (THAT'S A 186 MILE TRIP) AND THEY FILLED IT, I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO MARTIN SWANTY CHRYSLER JEEP IN KINGMAN AZ. WHICH IS WHERE I LIVE. THEY LOOKED IT OVER AND TOLD ME IT WAS A SPILL FROM WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT OIL CAN HENRY'S. THEY CLEANED IT UP A BIT AND CHARGED ME 72.00 AND TOLD ME I WAS GOOD TO GO. I TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH AND FLUSHED THE ENGINE VALLEY OUT REALLY GOOD AND DROVE IT HOME. I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE VALLEY AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS ONLY WATER IN THE VALLEY AROUND THE OIL FILTER, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME IT WAS FULL OF OIL AGAIN, SO I GOGGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS ON HTTP://WWW.WRANGLERFORUM.COM/F274/2014-CRACKED-OIL-COOLER-HOUSINGS-LOOKS-LIKE-A-SERIOUS-ISSUE-698297-13.HTML WRANGLER FORUM AND SEARCHED FOR 2014 JKU OIL LEAK AND FOUND IT TO BE A OIL COOLER LEAK THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS COMMON ON THE 2014 MODELS AND MOST DEALERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT ???? THIS IS FRIDAY 09-12-2014, THIS IS MY WORK VEHICLE AS I WORK PIPELINE. I WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER MONDAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632901
1,249 miles · Aug 25, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WAS TRAVELING IN OUR 3 WEEK OLD 2014 JEEP WRANGLER 2 DOOR AUTOMATIC IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. HEADING WEST ON A REMOTE TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN APPROX. 84 DEGREE DRY CONDITIONS. SPEED LIMIT IN THIS AREA IS 55. I CAME UPON A FARM TRUCK WHO WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 45-50 MPH. WHEN CONDITIONS WERE SAFE, I PULLED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE…
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WAS TRAVELING IN OUR 3 WEEK OLD 2014 JEEP WRANGLER 2 DOOR AUTOMATIC IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. HEADING WEST ON A REMOTE TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN APPROX. 84 DEGREE DRY CONDITIONS. SPEED LIMIT IN THIS AREA IS 55. I CAME UPON A FARM TRUCK WHO WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 45-50 MPH. WHEN CONDITIONS WERE SAFE, I PULLED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE VERY HARD TO PASS THE FARM VEHICLE IN A SAFE DISTANCE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON BUT WAS CURRENTLY NOT IN USE. AS I WAS ALMOST AROUND THE FARM VEHICLE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT FULL THROTTLE. I FIRST VIEWED THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME TO SEE IF IT WAS CLEAR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE. I ALSO TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPLETELY OFF. AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASH HOWEVER DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES I DID NOT SEE WHAT IT INDICATED. THE BRAKING HELPED BUT AS SOON AS I TOOK THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT FULL THROTTLE. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THE JEEP REACHED A SPEED OF 100 WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I THEN PREPARED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BUT FIRST REACHED AND GRABBED THE FLOOR MAT AND YANKED IT AS HARD AS I COULD TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL AS I WAS STILL UNSURE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE ISSUE FELT MORE LIKE AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE THEN A GAS PEDAL CAUGHT ON A FLOOR MAT. HOWEVER THIS DID SEEM TO STOP THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ONCE HOME I VERIFIED THAT I COULD NOT SEE IN ANY WAY HOW THE FLOOR MAT WOULD HOLD DOWN THE GAS PEDAL AS THE GAS PEDAL SNAPS BACK WITH QUITE A BIT OF FORCE WHEN PUSHING THE FLOOR MAT IN FRONT OF THE PEDAL. THIS VERY WELL MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE FLOOR MAT HOWEVER I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT WHAT HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628151
4,150 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
ON JULY 3, 2014, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING DURING A 150-MILE ROAD TRIP. UPON COASTING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, ENGINE POWER RESTORED, AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT FURTHER TROUBLE THAT DAY. I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS AN ISOLATED EP…
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ON JULY 3, 2014, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING DURING A 150-MILE ROAD TRIP. UPON COASTING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, ENGINE POWER RESTORED, AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT FURTHER TROUBLE THAT DAY. I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS AN ISOLATED EPISODE. HOWEVER, ON JULY 22, 2014, I AGAIN HAD TROUBLE WHILE ON ANOTHER 300-MILE ROUND-TRIP ROAD TRIP. DURING THE RETURN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AT LEAST SIX TIMES BOTH ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON LOCAL ROADS. EACH TIME, I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO AS TO NOT BLOCK THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. AFTER A SHORT TIME, ABOUT 30 SECONDS, ENGINE POWER RESTORED, AND I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND CONTINUE ON WITH MY TRIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER ON JULY 23, 2014, WHERE IT WAS KEPT UNTIL JULY 28, 2014. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. SOFTWARE UPDATES WERE RUN IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AGAIN HAD TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 18, 2014, WHEN DRIVING A 400-MILE ROUND-TRIP ROAD TRIP. DURING THE DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER FIVE TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE, AT SPEEDS UP TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. UPON THE FIFTH EPISODE THAT DAY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST DEALER FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, AS I FEARED I WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY LOSING ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, BUT THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE SAW SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM I DESCRIBED DURING HIS EVALUATIVE DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO ME AND I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE USUAL DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION. UPON DRIVING IT FOR OVER 100 MILES, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND, THUS, AGAIN HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627744
6,850 miles · Jul 7, 2014
EngineUnknown Or Other
I TOOK MY JEEP IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. THEY FOUND MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL LEAKING, BUT NOT FROM THE OIL PAN. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013 NEW. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS. IT APPEARS FROM READING THE OTHER POSTINGS THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH 2014 JEEP WRANGLERS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608495
13,000 miles · May 31, 2014
Engine
HAD OIL CHANGED BY DEALERSHIP AND BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNED OIL SMELL. THOUGHT MAYBE OIL DRIPPED ON ENGINE DURING OIL CHANGE. THEN NOTICED SMALL OIL PUDDLE UNDER JEEP IN PARKING SPOT AND OIL ON UNDERSIDE OF JEEP. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALER STATED SAW OIL BUT NO IDEA WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, WASHED DOWN ENGINE TOLD TO WATCH …
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HAD OIL CHANGED BY DEALERSHIP AND BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNED OIL SMELL. THOUGHT MAYBE OIL DRIPPED ON ENGINE DURING OIL CHANGE. THEN NOTICED SMALL OIL PUDDLE UNDER JEEP IN PARKING SPOT AND OIL ON UNDERSIDE OF JEEP. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALER STATED SAW OIL BUT NO IDEA WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, WASHED DOWN ENGINE TOLD TO WATCH FOR OIL. OIL LEAK CONTINUES TO WORSEN AND CALL FOR APPOINTMENT WHICH IS 2 WEEKS OUT BECAUSE LOANER IS NEEDED. OIL DOWN 1/2 QUART FROM LEAKING. COME HOME TONIGHT AND LARGE OIL PUDDLE UNDER JEEP. LIFT HOOD AND TAKE OFF ENGINE COVER AND A LARGE POOL OF OIL ON TOP OF ENGINE RIGHT NEXT TO OIL FILTER HOUSING. DO SOME RESEARCH ON WEB AND IT APPEARS THAT CRACKED OIL FILTER HOUSINGS ARE AN ISSUE ON THE 2014 WRANGLERS. CALL DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO MOVE UP APPOINTMENT BECAUSE NO LOANERS ARE AVAILABLE. TELL ME TO KEEP DRIVING AND JUST TOPPING OFF OIL EVERY DAY EVEN THO MY NEW WRANGLER IS NOW COVERED IN MOTOR OIL ON THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE. HERE ARE PICS OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.WRANGLERFORUM.COM/F274/2014-CRACKED-OIL-COOLER-HOUSINGS-LOOKS-LIKE-A-SERIOUS-ISSUE-698297-4.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595267
6,390 miles · May 22, 2014
EnginePower Train
OIL NOTED DRIPPING FROM THE TRANSMISSION CASE SEAM ONTO THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE. PROBABLY DID NOT CATCH FIRE DUE TO THE COLD (11F) WINTER TEMPERATURES. OIL LEAK WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE REAR MAIN SEAL. PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE (THE FIRST ONE FOR THIS VEHICLE) PERFORMED PROFESSIONALLY. OIL REPLENISHED WAS "5.90 QUART…
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OIL NOTED DRIPPING FROM THE TRANSMISSION CASE SEAM ONTO THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE. PROBABLY DID NOT CATCH FIRE DUE TO THE COLD (11F) WINTER TEMPERATURES. OIL LEAK WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE REAR MAIN SEAL. PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE (THE FIRST ONE FOR THIS VEHICLE) PERFORMED PROFESSIONALLY. OIL REPLENISHED WAS "5.90 QUARTS" IN A NOMINAL 6 QUART SYSTEM. VEHICLE: 2014 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED JKU, 3.6L "PENTASTAR" ENGINE, 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593343
1,500 miles · May 14, 2014
EngineFire
STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN NOTICING A LIGHT GRAY SMOKE AROUND THE VEHICLE. CONTINUED FROM THE STOP LIGHT WHEN THE SMOKE STARTED TO GET MORE DARKER AND BLACK. REALIZED THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND I DROVE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE…
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STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN NOTICING A LIGHT GRAY SMOKE AROUND THE VEHICLE. CONTINUED FROM THE STOP LIGHT WHEN THE SMOKE STARTED TO GET MORE DARKER AND BLACK. REALIZED THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND I DROVE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN GETTING ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE VEHICLE I TURNED AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS STATEMENT WAS MADE BY THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE (THE WIFE OF THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588442
12,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Engine
2014 JEEP WRANGLER 3.6L ENGINE. MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM CRACKED OIL COOLER HOUSING, WHICH IS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. IF NOT NOTICED, THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE SEIZING, OR CATCHING ON FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588179
2,900 miles · Apr 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
TRANSITION & ENGINE COOLANT TEMP IMMEDIATELY ROSE TO ALARM STATUS (300 DEGREES) IN FIRST EVER LIGHT DUTY 4 WD APPLICATION. OFF ROAD 4WD CONDITIONS AND TERRAIN CONSISTED OF A 5% GRADE IN LOW CUT HAY FIELD. ALARM INDICATED IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS NECESSARY. VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAUGES WERE RISING FROM NORMAL TOLERANCE…
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TRANSITION & ENGINE COOLANT TEMP IMMEDIATELY ROSE TO ALARM STATUS (300 DEGREES) IN FIRST EVER LIGHT DUTY 4 WD APPLICATION. OFF ROAD 4WD CONDITIONS AND TERRAIN CONSISTED OF A 5% GRADE IN LOW CUT HAY FIELD. ALARM INDICATED IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS NECESSARY. VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAUGES WERE RISING FROM NORMAL TOLERANCES TO ALARM STATUS IN TWO MINUTES. CORRECTIVE ACTION INCLUDED CUTTING ENGINE TO COOL. CORRECTIVE ACTION ALSO REQUIRED BLOWER AND HEATER ON HIGHEST SETTINGS TO COOL BLOCK AND MAINTAIN OPERABLE DRIVING CONDITION TEMPERATURES. ENGAGING IN THE SLIGHTEST LOAD WHILE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRAIN WAS ENGAGED (OFF ROAD) IMMEDIATELY REPLICATED SEVERE OVERHEATING CONDITION OF BOTH TRANNY AND BLOCK COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE WHILE ON PAVEMENT ONLY. VEHICLE IS A 2014 JEEP SAHARA UNLIMITED WRANGLER WITH "V" 6 CYL MOTOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 2,900 MILES ON ODOMETER (VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW PURCHASED IN MARCH 2014 - DATE OF THIS REPORT IS APRIL 2014). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585156
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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.
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
4EA21002 · 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