Certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles could experience a compromised side curtain air bag (SABIC) deployment due to an improperly seated upper B-pillar. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirement of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for ejection mitigation.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) became aware of the problem in June 2022 when the FCA technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization was informed of a potential issue related to the upper B-pillar trim that could result in a compromised SABIC deployment in some 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer vehicles. FCA analyzed warranty claims, customer records and vehicle history to identify reports of improperly seated upper B-pillar trim. They held meetings with FCA Interior Engineering and Manufacturing to review the issue and understand the part design failure mode.
According to the defect report, when the ejection propulsion mechanism propels the ejection impactor into the impact target locations of each side daylight opening of a vehicle according to the test procedures specified in S5 of this standard, the most outboard surface of the ejection head form must not displace more than 100 millimeters beyond the zero displacement plane. Vehicles with the upper B-pillar trim not fully seated may have a compromised side airbag inflatable curtain deployment that may not meet this requirement. A compromised deployment of the SABIC can reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants. If a vehicle has this problem, the driver may notice a loose fit and/or rattle in the B-pillar.
This recall is not related to a part defect but rather an assembly issue where the vehicle may have been built with an improperly seated upper B-pillar trim. The remedy will be to inspect and, if necessary, reseat or replace all loose or broken upper B-pillar interior trim pieces. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 76A and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-545.
