Daimler Chrysler is recalling 270,958 model year 2005 Chrysler Town and Country and 2005 Dodge Caravan minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the District of Columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing.
The up-front (UF) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes. In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle’s UF sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.
For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original UF air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any UF sensor that fails. The campaign is expected to begin during July 2007.
DaimlerChrysler has not decided that this is a defect related to motor vehicle safety. However, it has informed NHTSA that it will provide the modifications described above. This recall was the subject of a Preliminary Evaluation, PE06-003, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 07V-192.
In my opinion, Chrysler’s claim that the acknowledged cracking and leakage into its front air bag sensors is not a safety defect is ridiculous. Surely, their engineers did not design those sensor to crack and leak intentionally. And, if the sensors were not needed, why were they used in the first place? To me, this sounds like a company trying to avoid responsibility for its defective products.
I have a 2005 Chrysler T&C with 2 bad sensors which the dealer says are not covered. It was purchased in Il. and now is registered in Wi. Is there only certain V.I.N. numbers covered? Steve
Yes. Chrysler originally told the government that the recall covered 2005 model year Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country (T&C) models built between April 24, 2003 and February 2, 2005. In July of 2007, Chrysler issued a service bulletin providing more information about which vehicles were covered during what period, and it depended on the assembly plant used to build the vehicle. Here’s Chrysler’s note:
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built at the Windsor Assembly Plant (”R” in the 11th VIN position) through February 3, 2005 (MDH 020323), the St. Louis Assembly plant (”8″ in the 11th VIN position) through January 19, 2005 (MDH 011923) or the Styler Assembly plant (”Y” in the 11th VIN position) through January 04,2005 (MDH 010423).
You can determine which assembly plant built your vehicle by checking your VIN number; as listed above, the 11th digit of the VIN will identify the assembly plant. You can then check the build date of your vehicle from the VIN/certification label that should be installed on the driver door frame or the driver door jamb.
Also, you can call Chrysler or your local Chrysler dealer, give them your VIN number, and they can tell you whether your vehicle is covered by the recall.
Steve, thanks for your private follow up question on whether Chrysler used better sensors after 2/2/05. Here’s a brief timeline of the changes Chrysler made to these airbag crash sensors:
In 2004, Chrysler changed the molding process and the attachment system for the safety sensors. In January 2005, it replaced the brass bushing with a steel bushing, to minimize the chance of corrosion. That appears to be the change they used to limit the scope of the recall, as parts having those changes were probably being installed in vehicles in February 2005. However, they did make additional changes in April of 2006 which apparently are not included in the airbag sensors installed in your vehicle. Those changes included a housing material change from Ultradur to Crastin, using deeper steel bushings, and a new mold design for the sensor.
So, it appears that Chrysler continued making changes to these air bag sensors, even beyond those that were recalled. It sure makes you wonder why their recall didn’t extend to all vehicles made with the crash sensors produced prior to their April 2006 design and manufacturing changes.
I was in an accident Feb 20th. I was driving about 20-25 miles an hour in my neighborhood. Snow had narrowed the streets and I swayed to the left. I bent over to put my GPS under my seat and I looked up and I had hit a parked car! I blacked out and was brought to the hospital. My airbag never deployed.