Over 900,000 Jeeps Recalled for Inadvertent Airbag Deployment

Chrysler will recall over 900,000 Jeeps for a problem that could cause side airbags to deploy while the vehicle is in motion, a move which was announced after a year-long investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the New York Times, Chrysler pinned the problem on an “electrical overstress” of an airbag control component, which was changed by a supplier without the manufacturer’s knowledge. Although no crashes have been reported yet, NHTSA received reports of the problem occurring 215 times, causing 81 minor injuries.

It is worried that an inadvertent airbag deployment will eventually lead to a crash.

Of the 919,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUVs recalled, 775,000 are in the United States, 49,000 in Canada, 22,000 in Mexico, and the rest elsewhere in the world. The recall affects certain 2002 and 2003 model year Liberty SUVs built from Jan. 9, 2001 to March 28, 2003 and 2002 to 2004 model year Grand Cherokee SUVs built from Feb.13, 2001 to May 23, 2003. Chrysler has announced that it will notify owners by January and the repairs will be done at no charge to vehicle owners.

Normally functioning airbags will only activate when the network of sensors in the vehicle are tripped during a crash, but these vehicles have experienced front and side airbags deploying (and pre-tensioning seatbelts triggered) when the vehicle has not been in a crash. Injuries sustained and reported to the NHTSA have included cuts, bruises, and burns. It is worried that an inadvertent airbag deployment will eventually lead to a crash, and thus the focus on fixing the problem as soon as possible.

According to NBC News, other recent high-profile recalls due to airbags have included around 250,000 Hyundai Sonatas and Santa Fe SUVs, 154,000 Ford Fiestas, 145,000 Kia Optimas and Rondos, 1.2 million Ford F Series pickup trucks, and 2.5 million Hondas and Acuras. Drivers should keep their eyes open for information regarding the recall and report any malfunctioning to the NHTSA.