Yay for more recalls. Chrysler has just announced a recall of 312,442 2005-2006 Town & Country, Grand Caravan and Caravan models. According to the press release the front crash airbag sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter the sensor. The announcement lists the coldest states in the US as places where the minivans are most effected. If water does enter the sensor the sensor could become inoperative causing the airbag light to come on and worst case the airbag may not work in a crash.
Chrysler is going to fix the effected models with new front airbag sensors.
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model:
CHRYSLER / TOWN AND COUNTRY
DODGE / CARAVAN
DODGE / GRAND CARAVAN
Model Year(s): 2005-2006
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Mfr’s Report Date: JAN 07, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V008000
NHTSA Action Number: RQ09003
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 312442
Summary
CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 DODGE CARAVAN, GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, ALASKA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND ALLOW WATER TO ENTER INTO THE SENSOR. THIS CAN CAUSE THE SENSOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. THESE SENSORS WERE ADDED TO ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.
Consequence
IF THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER IS IMMEDIATELY ALERTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PROMPTLY SERVICED. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE ENHANCED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS WITH A NEW DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN DURING JUNE 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes
CHRYSLER’S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS J38. THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER HAS INFORMED NHTSA THAT IT WILL PROVIDE THE MODIFICATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE AT NO COST.
