900,000 Jeeps Recalled for Airbag Issue

Another manufacturer recall due to airbag safety defects in is the works.  Chrysler is the latest in a long line of automobile manufacturers to issue a recall because of problems with airbags.  Chrysler is recalling 900,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUV’s worldwide because of an airbag defect that could potentially cause the airbags to unexpectedly inflate while the vehicles are being driven.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports  the airbag problem involves older jeeps, those Grand Cherokee models manufactured in 2002 through 2004, and those Liberty models manufactured in 2002 and 2003.  In the United States, 775,000 of these two models will be impacted, while in Canada, 49,000 and in Mexico, 22,000.  NHTSA has reported the airbag problem has not led to any accidents, however, there have been a number of injuries that have resulted from the airbag deployments. 

The recall problem in these vehicles, according to NHTSA, is due to a defective part in the computer used to control the airbag.  Those vehicles involved in the recall, could see both their front or side-impact airbags inflate even if they have not been involved in a crash.

It is very rare for this problem to occur, however, as a spokesman for Chrysler noted the problem has only happened in three-hundredths of a percent of all the Grand Cherokee and Liberty models on the road.

NHTSA completed a year-long investigation that revealed the problem occurred 215 times and caused 81 minor injuries.

Chrysler has said that all owners of these vehicles under recall will be notified by January and repairs will be made to the electrical system at no charge to consumers.

In recent years, Ford, Honda and Hyundai have also issued recalls due to faulty airbags in the companies’ vehicles.

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