The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced two recalls related to vehicles manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) on June 6, 2013.
NHTSA says certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012, have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags. NHTSA says 254,396 vehicles could be affected by the airbag recall.
The other recall involves certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured Jan. 23, 2011, through Feb. 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid. Up to 180,131 vehicles could be affected by the transmission recall, according to NHTSA..
The recalls are expected to begin in July 2013.
The June 6 recall announcements are separate from Chrysler’s refusal to honor an earlier NHTSA request to recall certain model Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Libertys for alleged fuel system defects.
Chrysler issued a statement saying it disagreed with NHTSA’s conclusions: “The company fully cooperated with NHTSA’s review of the 1993-2004 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, providing technical information and detailed analyses showing these models are safe, and meet or exceed all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.”