Consumer Safety Watch Warns Many Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Vehicle Owners May Be in Danger Due to a Defect Affecting Air-Bags and Automatic Seat-Belt Tighteners

Press Release (ePRNews.com) - San Diego, CA - Sep 23, 2016 - According to Consumer Safety Watch, a consumer advocate organization based in San Diego, CA, drivers of certain Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle may be in danger due to a defect that could prevent air-bags and automatic seat-belt tighteners from deploying properly in the case of an accident.

Chrysler is recalling 1.9 million of its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge cars and SUVs over airbag and seat belt defects linked to three deaths. The Italian-U.S. auto maker said Thursday that vehicles equipped with a certain occupant restraint control module and front-impact sensor wiring with a specific design can fail to activate air bags and seat-belt restraints in some crashes.

“The company is aware of three fatalities and five injuries that may potentially be related to this condition,” it said in a statement.

The affected models are:

• 2010 Chrysler Sebring
• ​2011-2014 Chrysler 200
• 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber
• 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger
• 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot
• 2010-2014 Jeep Compass

According to the automaker, it no longer uses the faulty equipment. It was used in models made between 2010 and 2014.

Fiat Chrysler uncovered the problem analyzing crashes and collecting data from vehicles, the company said.

Fiat Chrysler is among auto makers facing unprecedented scrutiny from regulators for safety lapses. The auto maker last year suffered financial penalties for recall lapses covering millions of vehicles, including older Jeeps with rear gas tanks linked to fatal fires in rear-end collisions.

This is not the first large scale recall announced by Fiat Chrysler this year.

In April 2016, Chrysler recalled 1.1 million cars and SUVs worldwide because of a gear selector problem that killed actor Anton​ Yelchin. The problem was a confusing gear selector that could lead some drivers to believe that their vehicle was in Park when it wasn’t.

What to do if you are the owner of an effective vehicle

According to the Chrysler website: Vehicle owners are notified by direct mail for both safety recalls and campaigns. Information about safety recalls is also typically available through the print and/or broadcast media. The notices sent through the mail will give owners the direction they need to have the recall or campaign properly addressed.

Learn more about the Chrysler recall at: https://monroelawgroup.com/chrysler-recalling-millions-cars-suvs-airbag-deaths/