Half a Million Jeeps Recalled by Fiat Chrysler over Airbag Malfunctions
On May 18, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles issued a voluntary recall affecting approximately 500,000 vehicles, nearly 400,000 of which are in the United States. This recall was issued in order to replace clockspring assemblies in 2007-2010 Jeep Wranglers. When these assemblies are exposed to dust and dirt, the driver’s side airbag may not deploy in a crash.
As many Jeep owners can attest, driving with the top down, driving with the doors removed, and/or driving off road are all part of the Jeep experience — and how the vehicle is often advertised as being used, even on the official Jeep website. Unfortunately, driving under these conditions is exactly what can lead to the airbag malfunction these vehicles are being recalled for.
If you own a model year 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010 Jeep Wrangler, you can call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403 with any questions you may have. Although Fiat Chrysler claims that “The Company is unaware of any potentially related injuries or accidents,” the federal investigation into this issue began almost a full year ago in the wake of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration receiving nearly 500 complaints about the issue from owners.
At Hossley & Embry, we have handled many cases involving defects much like this one where someone’s injuries in a car accident could have been mitigated or even prevented if specific parts had not been defective or compromised. If you or someone you know has been injured or lost a loved one as a result of a car accident, your best course of action is to seek the professional advice of an experienced attorney. Call Hossley & Embry today at (866) 522-9265 or fill out our convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We have the resources available (including charter aircraft) to travel throughout Texas and the United States on short notice to investigate your potential claim.
References
Jensen, C. (2016, May 18). Fiat Chrysler recalls 500,000 Jeeps over airbag malfunction. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/19/business/fiat-chrysler-recalls-500000-jeeps-over-airbag-malfunction.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&_r=0
Statement: Clockspring. (2016, May 18). Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Retrieved from http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=17518&mid=1&version=meter+at+null&module=meter-Links&pgtype=article&contentId=&mediaId=&referrer=&priority=true&action=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click