FCA Recalling 297,000 Minivans for Surprise Airbag Deployments

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 297,000 minivans in North America due to a wiring issue that can inadvertently trigger airbag deployments, according to a company statement issued Thursday.

The recall affects 2011-2012 model year Dodge Grand Caravans and has been linked to 13 minor injuries but no known accidents. Congratulations to all those who somehow managed to avoid wrecking their minivan as its steering wheel unexpectedly detonated inches away from their face, blasting their forearms with superheated nitrogen gas.

Based on the FCA recall notice, improperly secured wiring may chafe against pieces of steering wheel trim, potentially causing them to fray and short circuit. A second short runs the risk of potentially producing a charge which can inadvertently trigger deployment of the driver’s side airbag.

Surprise!

The recall will commence in late July and includes 209,000 vehicles in the United States and nearly 88,000 vehicles in Canada. Dealerships will replace the wiring if needed and add protective covering, assumedly to prevent fraying.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Turbo_awd Turbo_awd on Jun 15, 2017

    Missed this one so far.. Our '08 GC was coming due for an airbag recall, so we traded it in on a '15 Town and Country.. 1.5 years/10k miles later, doing ok, except for the one power door not always working on an incline.. Got the extended warranty, so will have to have them look at it sooner or later..

  • Truckducken Truckducken on Jun 15, 2017

    Hey, at least they weren't Takatas!

  • RHD RHD on Jun 16, 2017

    Will Volkswagen be recalling their version of the FCA minivan (VW Routan) as well?

  • FThorn FThorn on Jun 16, 2017

    I bought my 89 Shelby Daytona partially because of the promise of the then NEW airbags. Now, I am not a fan. I'd rather have NO AIRBAGS in any car.

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