Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced Friday that it would recall nearly 900,000 cars worldwide — including more than 550,000 cars in the U.S. — for defective airbag and brake systems.
The company said some 2003 Jeep Liberty and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models were fitted with faulty airbags that could deploy. The automaker acknowledged that seven injuries had been caused by the airbags, which were not made by Takata. In all, 284,089 cars are affected by that recall.
Additionally, the company said more than 275,000 Dodge Journey models from 2012-2015 may have defective anti-lock brake systems that could fail due to excess moisture.
In its third-quarter filing, FCA reported a $331 million loss, in part, because of a $667 million charge the company took for future recall costs, according to Automotive News. The company said it changed its accounting methods to account for future recall costs and repairs. The automaker announced that it anticipated more, costlier recalls in the future in the “automotive regulatory environment.”
The automaker said sales in the U.S. were up 6.9 percent on higher demand for SUVs and pickups.
This month, FCA announced that former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater would oversee that company’s recall compliance as part of a record agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
According to the automaker, no injuries have been reported on Dodge Journeys with defective brake systems.
Whatevs.. and there was another earthquake somewhere, too.
It would be nice if Fiat Chrysler, for once, wasn’t at the very bottom for quality.
How difficult is it to engineer and build cars that last? The Japanese figured it out 3 decades ago.
Chrysler figured how to make cars that last a very long time ago (one example can be found here: http://www.allpar.com/old/high-miles/vaillancourt.php). The word “dependability” was first used about 100 years ago to describe Dodge cars.
Unfortunately it seems they forgot how to make cars that last right around the time the better Japanese manufacturers figured it out…
While FCA quality may still be below average, I’m not sure these latest recalls are evidence of that – Honda and Toyota have had similar recalls, and I’m taking my Japanese built 2013 Subaru in for its second recall soon.
One premise Ed Deming preached for business success was “constancy of purpose”
And those poor b@stards at Chryco have had constant turmoil in the management ranks since Bob Eaton got into bed with the Germans back in 98. It’s impressive to me how well they’ve actually done.
I’ve got one of the affected vehicles – a 2004 Grand Cherokee. It’s almost 12 years old with 178,000 miles on the clock. The drivetrain is completely original and it runs great.
The driver’s door makes a click when you open or close it, the rear suspension squeaks a little, and the engine has a bit of lifter clatter when its very cold outside for a minute until the engine warms up.
Other than those minor issues, the car is fantastic. It still has good power, drives well, and the interior still feels tight.
Frankly, this GC has been one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
Yeah, but…..HELLCAT!
These are all pre-Fiat cars, from an era where few of Chrysler’s offerings could exactly be considered “good.”
Maybe they’re just making in the news more often, but the number of recalls for all manufacturers seems to have jumped drastically in the last decade.
Is this because;
1) Lower standards for what triggers a recall? Was something before a problem some owners would just have to live with, that now gets fixed across the board by the manufacturer?
2) Common systems? Parts once unique to one make or model are now used company wide. Amplifying any problems with those parts.
3) The internet? In the 80s or 90s, if a car was recalled, and you didn’t own one, you probably didn’t know about it. Now the information is plastered all over the place.
4. Under increased scrutiny, manufacturers are looking to minimise their liability risk by proactively recalling cars with potentially dangerous problems, where the cost of the recall is less than the estimated penalty of either A) being discovered by the NHTSA, or B) being hit with injury/death liability lawsuits when something does cause an accident.
We’re talking 12 year old cars here. Shit wears out people.
If it were GM the response would be much diffetent. Click click.
Safety devices like air bags and anti-lock braking systems are held to a higher standard, just like pollution control devices. But your point – nothing lasts forever – is a good one.
There SHOULD be a time/mileage limit, but there isn’t. I drove a 1995 car for nearly 20 years and I only assumed the airbags would work in an accident. That car is still on the road, and it’s an open question how long the inflation mechanism will remain operational.
If there’s a limit on the useful life of the devices, shouldn’t there be a limit on the manufacturer’s liability? There’s dangerous power equipment being used every day, but the maker is off the hook after the warranty period, unless there’s a defect. Otherwise the maker has no responsibility when the warranty is up. Not so with cars?
For as long as I can remember, airbags have always had an expiration date, usually 8 – 10 years after manufacture, before they should be replaced. Is this not the case anymore?
I should probably get a new airbag for my ’93 and my ’02… wait I can’t?
There are definitely less suppliers these days. Many were flushed in the 08-09 autopocalypse. Also more commonality of parts across platforms and between manufacturers, especially stuff that the customer doesn’t see or feel.
So that has some potential for more widespread problems when design or manufacture goes awry. Takata airbag probably the best example.
But many of the recalls were on early “oughts”, 2004-2008, when Chrysler, at least, was run by either Daimler or Cerberus. You can’t even blame Fiat for going to third-tier suppliers.
So why is current FCA being held liable? Shouldn’t “Old Chrysler” be blamed, or Cerberus, or Daimler? The government seems to be holding automakers responsible in perpetuity. Fortunately for FCA, there aren’t many K-cars, cloud cars, or LH cars left on the road.
That’s where crappy product pays off.
All these recalls and none for GM W bodies for rotting brake lines. Ever hit the pedal and find the floor? Scary as hell.
Actually, twice, both with ’90s GM cars – a beat-to-crap Ciera wagon (a ’96, I think) and my ’96 NG900. Both were lifelong Massachusetts cars, though.
And then they recalled the rest for just being terrible cars.
The airbag recall is interesting. No car manufacturer makes its own airbags, so if FCA has found an issue, will other recalls pop up at other brands?
“will other recalls pop up at other brands?” We already saw this with Takata being the supplier for a number of brands.