Statement: Global Air-Bag Inflator Replacement

December 19, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  FCA US LLC will replace driver’s-side air-bag inflators in an estimated 3.3 million older-model vehicles worldwide, in an expansion of an ongoing regional field action.
 
Neither FCA US, nor Takata Corporation, the supplier, has identified a defect in this population of inflators. These components also are distinct from Takata inflators cited in fatalities involving other auto makers.
 
More than 1,000 laboratory tests have been performed on these components. All deployed as intended, but FCA US continues to study the suspect inflators, which are not used in the Company’s current production vehicles.
 
Outside of Florida, one of the areas covered by the original action, no FCA US vehicle has been linked to an air-bag deployment of the type that has raised public concern. Nevertheless, the Company is replacing the Takata components tied to that concern.

 
FCA US is aware of one related injury involving one of its vehicles, an older-model sedan. It occurred in a southern Florida region marked by persistent, high, absolute humidity – a condition believed to be a contributing factor in the air-bag deployments under investigation.
 
The ongoing action, announced in June, was confined to Florida and three regions with similar climatic conditions – Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The expansion affects an estimated 2,890,785 vehicles across the U.S.; 258,586 in Canada; 66,436 in Mexico and 99,030 outside the NAFTA region. Covered are certain 2004-2007 vehicles from the following model lines:
  • Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups
  • Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cabs
  • Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen full-size SUVs
  • Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger full-size sedans
  • Dodge Magnum full-size station wagons
  • Mitsubishi Raider and Dodge Dakota small pickups

Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service, which will be provided free of charge. Replacement parts will be first distributed in areas marked by persistent, high absolute humidity.
 
Customers with questions or concerns may call 1-800-853-1403.
 
Today’s global field action brings to 3,672,770 the estimated number of FCA US vehicles affected worldwide by Takata air-bag inflator replacements.
 
 

Contact Information

Eric Mayne
Cell: 248-760-2429
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