Comments on: Chrysler Airbag Sensor Defect Leads to Safety Recall

By: cindy

cindy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:41:38 +0000

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.

By: Taras

Taras — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:21:12 +0000

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.

By: Taras

Taras — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:35:30 +0000

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.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:21:29 +0000

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