Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says it is recalling nearly 710,000 sport utility vehicles to check on shields protecting the brake boosters. The shields were a new addition to a bundle of SUVs involved in a 2014 recall and FCA is worried they may have been installed improperly.
The company discovered that units exposed to water were subject to excessive corrosion, resulting in unacceptable brake pedal firmness. Affected vehicles also run the risk of degraded braking performance. FCA says it is aware of at least one accident associated with the problem but noted there were no injuries.
With nearly 95 percent of the recalled vehicles serviced, a review of warranty data led to a secondary investigation that discovered shields on some vehicles had been installed improperly.
In February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration enquired about the status of some of the vehicles and whether they had been repaired under the 2014 recall. Reuters reported that FCA spent the following six-month period conducting extensive testing of the braking issues and effectiveness of the added shielding before deciding on a secondary recall.
FCA says a potential booster issue may be preceded by a warning light or the unexpected activation of the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. Still, drivers are urged to drive with caution regardless of any indication of a possible malfunction, or lack thereof.
The automaker expects the next round of repairs to apply to about 646,394 Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 2011 and 2014 model years. However, FCA estimates an additional 42,304 units in Canada and 21,139 cars from Mexico are affected. Customers will be notified that service for this latest campaign is available in early November.
[Image: FCA]
Unpossible. King DW has already asserted that these are the best vehicles ever. Any of these made-up issues are just in the imagination of those supposedly experiencing these alleged “problems”.
We all know that only Ford has recalls and quality issues. This is slanderous, pure and simple.
I don’t recall DW Inc as endorsing the Durango or JGC.
The directors of the firm hired to continue the credits after the other people had been sacked, wish it to be known that they have just been sacked. The credits have been completed in an entirely different style at great expense and at the last minute.
Sincerely,
Ralph The Wonder Llama
Doesn’t do much for my consumer confidence…
Just stick brembo brakes on everything
..but they probably screw that up too
That only works if the Brembos have loud colors.
Just last week we bought our first SUV. I never even considered an FCA car. I just couldn’t put $40,000 worth of confidence in them.
Likewise. The thought that every component has been “value engineered” to the nth degree keeps me from considering a Chrysler 300.
How is this different than Ford and GM?
Ruthless cost cutting is showing up with all three.
Who actually needs brake boosters? Power assisted brakes are for wimps. Personally, I disconnect the brake booster vacuum line on all of my vehicles. With all of the needless brake stabbing going on in traffic these days, I think everyone could benefit from a national day of unassisted braking. Just think of the potential fuel savings. Brake less. Drive more.
Unacceptable brake pedal firmness sufferers unite!
Fiat seems perfectly content being a sub prime automaker. Every brand under their umbrella gets a garbage rating.
Some of those FCA products look pretty when they’re new, but I need a reliable car for work. So I chose VW.
lol