FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to replace the occupant restraint controllers in an estimated 112,001 older-model crossover vehicles and minivans in the U.S.
Occupant restraint controllers help manage the function of supplementary restraint systems, such as air bags. An investigation of two incidents involving inadvertent deployment led FCA US to discover a certain population of components is subject to unintended moisture exposure, which may cause inadvertent air-bag deployment or a warning-light illumination.
Of the two potential outcomes, warning-light illumination is the more likely. None of the affected vehicles are equipped with ammonium-nitrate inflators.
FCA US is aware of seven potentially related injuries – all minor – but no related accidents.
The recall is aimed at certain model-year 2009 Dodge Journey crossovers, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, and 2009 Volkswagen Routan minivans. Lesser numbers of vehicles are affected in Canada, Mexico and markets outside the NAFTA region.
