Chrysler will be asking a small number of 2017 Jeep Renegade owners to return to their dealers because their vehicles are suspect to have a defective oil pump / balance shaft module (BSM). According to the defect report, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a cracked oil pump housing that could propagate throughout the housing and cause the oil pump to fail. Drivers will receive no warning of a problem except that the engine may not run optimally just prior to an engine stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the oil pump inspected for its production information and replace the BSM as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-131.

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles because of a problem that could increase the chance of a crash. According to the NHTSA defect report, the brake switches in these automobiles are more likely to malfunction, causing the rear brake lamps to continuously illuminate and allowing the transmission to be shifted out of “Park” without the brake pedal being depressed.

Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a illuminated malfunction indicator lamp, an audible warning chime and brake lights that continuously illuminate.

Chrysler will be asking owners to return to their dealers to have the brake switches replaced. Owners who would like more information about the problem can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U09 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-098.

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles regarding a manufacturing problem affecting the passenger air bag (PAB). According to the defect report, certain PAB inflator mounting nuts withing the module assembly may have not been sufficiently tightened and could become dangerous projectile during an airbag deployment.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealer to have the passenger airbag module assembly replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T73 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-732.

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2013 Chrysler 200, 2012-2013 Dodge Avenger and 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles for a problem affecting the occupant restraint controller (ORC). According to the defect report, electrical stress in the ORC could lead to an internal failure which will result in the inability to deploy active headrests during certain rear end crashes. If this happens, it may increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants.

Chrysler will ask owners to return to their dealers to have the ORC inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA’s number for this recall is T56 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-640.

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durangos and 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Chrokees to return to their dealership to inspect the brake booster shield installed under a previous recall (NHTSA 14V-154). Some of these vehicles may have an incorrectly installed shield that could allow water to enter the booster, possibly causing corrosion and limiting the vehicles braking ability. Possible warnings include illumination of the brake warning lamp, high brake pedal effort and/or activation of the anti-lock brake system module.

Dealers will inspect the brake booster shield and correct the installation as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T59 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-572.

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Jeep Renegades regarding a problem affecting the instrument panel warning lights on their vehicle. According to the defect report, an integrated circuit chip and software combination could result in one or more illuminated malfunction indicators when no malfunction exists. (The issue is more likely to occur when the fuel indicator is reading “Low”. ) If the malfunction indicator lamps illuminate at incorrect times, drivers may not be aware when a true malfunction occurs.

Dealers will correct the problem by updating the Instrument Panel Control software. Owners wanting more information about the issue can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T50 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-485.

Chrysler will be asking certain 2011-2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners to return to their dealerships to repair a problems affecting the electrical system. According to the defect report, vehicles equipped with electrohydraulic power steering could experience diode thermal fatigue in the alternator. The problem could result in a rapid failure of the alternator with little or no warning. Depending on the failure mode and timing, system voltage drops could disable systems such as the Antilock Brake System, Electronic Stability Control, Engine Control Module, Central Body Controller or result in a loss of vehicle power. Diodes failing through thermal fatigue may also develop a resistive short that could result in a fire.

The vehicles affected by this recall include:

Dealers will inspect the alternator part number and replacing it as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T36 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-435.

The Law Offices Of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2013 Jeep Wrangler 4DR who was experiencing repeated problems with her vehicle.  She told us she had her Wrangler in for repairs on seven (7) different occasions for a defective axle; suspension and drive shaft; recall for transmission oil cooler tube; and loud clicking and clunking sounds.

After reviewing the repair orders and purchase contract, we determined that the 2013 Jeep Wrangler was a lemon and the owner qualified for protection under the California Lemon Law.  A short period after filing our demand to repurchase the defective vehicle, Fiat Chrysler agreed to a buyback.  They paid the balance of the purchase and reimbursed our client for the down payment and monthly payments, less the mileage fee allowed under the California Lemon Law.  FCA also paid all attorney’s fees. Continue reading