Chrysler Recalls Nearly 45 Thousand Vehicles Due to Airbag Issues

What: The Jeep Grand Wagoneer model years 2022-2023 and the Jeep Wagoneer model years 2022-2023.

Who: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC).

Why: The upper B-pillar interior trim may not be fully seated and could interfere with the side curtain airbag deployment, increasing the risk of injury. 

When: The recall was issued by Chrysler on August 3rd, 2023.

Where: The recall currently takes place in the United States. 

How drivers can identify the recalled vehicles: Owners of the 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer can identify whether or not their vehicle is part of the recall by contacting their local Chrysler dealership or by entering their vehicle's identification number (VIN) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website. 

On August 3rd, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received notice from Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) regarding a recall of nearly 45 thousand 2022 and 2023 vehicles. After multiple complaints, Chrysler began an investigation into its 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles in June 2022. After analyzing warranty records and customer complaints, Chrysler issued the recall for certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles due to an issue with the vehicle's interior trim. 

More specifically, the issue comes from the upper B-pillar interior trim, which in some vehicles, may not be fully seated and could interfere with the side curtain airbag (SABIC) deployment–which is in direct violation of the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, Ejection Mitigation. As defined by the NHTSA, Ejection Mitigation is in place to "reduce the partial and complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes, particularly rollover crashes." 

The standard applies to the vehicle's side windows next to the first three rows of seats, as well as a portion of the cargo area behind the first or second rows. This recall is expected to affect roughly 44,708 Chrysler vehicles. As previously mentioned, only certain models of the Chrysler vehicles have been recalled, including the following:

• Jeep Wagoneer 2022
• Jeep Wagoneer 2023
• Jeep Grand Wagoneer 2022
• Jeep Grand Wagoneer 2023

According to the NHTSA's report, not all Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models will be affected. For more information, owners should contact their local Chrysler dealership. 

Chrysler Recalls Keep Rolling In

Chrysler vehicles, including the popular-selling Pacifica minivan and sedans, have been part of recalls over the past several years. Just last month, the vehicle company announced two recalls, the first on July 11th, 2023, after another confirmed Takata airbag rupture fatality. For safety reasons, Chrysler recalled their 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The vehicle was also recalled back in 2015 due to a safety defect in the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator. At the time, owners of the vehicles were advised not to drive until they could receive a replacement airbag.

Then again, days later, on July 14th, 2023, FCA US, LLC announced another voluntary safety recall of approximately 967 units of its 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrid minivans due to a fuel line leak caused by an improperly extruded fuel line that increased the risk of fire. In theme, this would be the second time the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid would be recalled, as back in 2022, the vehicles were recalled due to the 12-volt battery system, which could be shorted by liquids in the cabin.

Chrysler is Offering Free Inspections and Repairs

Chrysler is expected to mail out owner notification letters by September 22nd, 2023. In the letter, owners will have detailed explanations regarding the issue and what remedies are available to them if their vehicle is, in fact, affected by the recall. Until then, Chrysler has announced that owners of the 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer can expect their local Chrysler dealers to inspect and reseat or replace the trim pieces as necessary, free of charge. 

For more information, owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Owners are asked to provide the FCA US, LLC's number for this recall, which is 76A. Vehicle owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline for more information on this recall at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or head to www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA has this recall listed under the campaign number: 23V-545.

If you are currently in possession of one of the recalled Chrysler vehicles and have suffered an injury, we may be able to help you. For more information regarding the Chrysler recall or to learn more about your case and how a Morgan & Morgan attorney may be able to help you, contact us today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.