Dodge and Jeep recall query RQ15003
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened this recall query about the electrical system on 8 model years (2011–2014). Opened May 1, 2015, closed Jul 6, 2016 after 14 months. It concerns recall 15V879000. closed
What NHTSA says
Source: Office of Defects Investigation, as filedIn response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391. On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 to September 1, 2012. Note this recall, which was scoped based on vehicle design level and field events, does not include all MY 2013 or any MY 2014 Durango and Grand Cherokee vehicles; ODI and FCA will continue to monitor the field experience for this population. ODI opened this investigation based on allegations of fires occurring in the headliner area after the remedy for recall 14V-391 had been conducted. Recall 14V-391 involved MY 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured by FCA from January 5, 2010 to December 11, 2013. The recall was influenced by ODI investigation EA14-001. During EA14-001, data provided by FCA indicated fires were caused by an electrical short in the vanity lamp wiring for either visor. Visors are mounted to the (metal) roof of the vehicle through the headliner with three screws. EA14-001 determined it was possible for the wiring to be pierced or abraded by one of the screws, or otherwise become electrically shorted either during initial vehicle assembly or subsequent headliner area repairs presenting a fire risk. Most of the fires occurred while the vehicle was being driven. The 14V-391 remedy consisted of installing a plastic guide way on each visor to route wiring away from the attachment screws and prevent electrical shorting. Additionally abrasion resistant tape was installed in key areas to protect the wiring integrity. In order to install the guide, the headliner had to be lowered and the existing visor and headliner wiring rerouted, a somewhat complex procedure that required sufficient service technician care and expertise. FCA modified the 14V-391 remedy multiple times to improve it. ODI has identified a total of 43 NHTSA complaints across affected vehicles indicating a fire occurring after the vehicle had been remedied under 14V-391. FCA reported 159 additional unique complaints of post-remedy fires. The fire events primarily occurred while driving however a few reported fires starting after the vehicle was parked. Ten customers incurred injuries including minor burns and smoke inhalation, no crashes were reported. According to FCA, the vehicles recalled under 15V-879 were manufactured with longer wiring connecting the visors to the main harness in the headliner. Field experience clearly shows these vehicles are experiencing more post 14V-391 fires, 189 out of 202 known incidents to date. Recall 15V-879 addresses any remaining risk of fire after the 14V-391 recall remedy is performed. The 15V-879 remedy installs new design level visor assemblies containing added wire sheathing, shortened wiring, revised wiring retainer and wiring loop relief. In addition, part of the metal structure (body in white) where the wiring is routed will be modified (removed) using a template to allow more clearance. The recall action initiated by the vehicle manufacturer address the safety risks identified by the investigation. Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10640524, 10653417, 10684130, 10691520, 10692710, 10703058, 10705802, 10711836, 10715282, 10717265, 10717266, 10723677, 10726438, 10733003, 10733598, 10735042, 10743410, 10744097, 10745129, 1
A Recall Query is a look at a recall that already exists — whether its remedy works, whether it reached every vehicle it should have, whether the manufacturer met its obligations. The summary is the agency’s own text from its investigation file, unedited; the opening and closing resumes with the full reasoning are on NHTSA’s site under this number.
What this means for an owner
Source: and what happens nextAn investigation is not a finding that a defect exists, and it puts no duty on anyone. NHTSA opens a Preliminary Evaluation when complaints and other reports suggest a condition worth asking the manufacturer about; it upgrades to an Engineering Analysis when the answers warrant testing; it closes either when it recommends a recall, when the manufacturer recalls on its own, or when no defect trend is found. The agency’s own goals are about four months for a petition, eight for a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query and eighteen for an Engineering Analysis; many run longer.
This one is closed. A recall query ends with NHTSA’s finding on the recall it examined — the remedy stands, is widened, or a new campaign follows; the file names the recall it concerned and NHTSA’s closing resume carries the reasoning.
Model years it names
Source: as NHTSA filed themAlso named: 2011 Dodge Durango; 2012 Dodge Durango; 2013 Dodge Durango; 2014 Dodge Durango; 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
A vehicle page’s investigation list carries the same action; a name here is the scope NHTSA opened, not a list of affected VINs.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationIs RQ15003 a recall?
No — it is NHTSA’s examination of recall 15V879000, which has its own page and remedy.
Is RQ15003 still open?
No. It closed on Jul 6, 2016 with its finding on recall 15V879000.
Which vehicles does RQ15003 cover?
NHTSA opened it on 8 model years: 2011 Dodge Durango, 2012 Dodge Durango, 2013 Dodge Durango, 2014 Dodge Durango, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and more. That is the scope of the inquiry, not a list of affected vehicles; a recall, if one follows, defines its own population by VIN.