2014 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

EQUIPMENT

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.

Risk: An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Left Rear sliding door shut door stuck in locked position and will not unlock manually or by powering. Air bag light stays on.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Left Rear sliding door shut door stuck in locked position and will not unlock manually or by powering. Air bag light stays on.

AIR BAGS

Left Rear sliding door shut door stuck in locked position and will not unlock manually or by powering. Air bag light stays on.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the contact's wife sat down in the front passenger’s seat, and several minutes later, the front passenger's seat headrest deployed. The headrest struck the contact's wife on the back of the head; however, no injuries were sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that an unknown plastic piece had detached from the head restraint. The vehicle remained at the dealer pending the repair. The contact stated that two years previously, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side head restraint deployed unintendedly. The headrest struck the contact on the back of the head; however, no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the headrest was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty on the headrest had expired in September 2023. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

AIR BAGS

The driver's side active restraint headrest deployed unexpectedly while parked. The vehicle has never been in an accident. Upon inspection, I can see where there are plastic retaining holes that that had a metal retaining pin in it cracked. The metal pin was still in its clip. The vehicle is drivable and available for inspection. The vehicle was parked and unoccupied when the head restraint went off. No injuries were incurred. However in order to drive the vehicle now, the seat back must be adjusted back making the driving position awkward. Neither the vehicle nor the component has been inspected by anyone at this time. There were no warning lamps or messages presented prior to the issue. I did recently notice that the back plastic cover on the headrest was askew and figured it had been bumped loose by a rear rider at some time. However, it now seems that this was showing the weakening and deformation of the plastic retaining parts that were holding the metal pin.

ENGINE

Vehicle engine exploded in the middle of the night. Car would remote start on its own as I would lock the doors and walk away prior to the incident. Also the airbag light would come off and on. Notice the day of the incident that the dimmer would disappear and reappear. Very strange I thought. The house could've burned down while we were sleeping. If it wasn't for our neighbors and the quick response of those firefighters it could've possibly burned the house down while we were in there sleeping. The van was picked up by the insurance company two days ago. Not sure what happened as far as it being inspected yet. They have given me the silent treatment. Went to a Chrysler dealership, not where I bought it. This van has had one recall done in 2015. Rear quarter vent window switch.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle engine exploded in the middle of the night. Car would remote start on its own as I would lock the doors and walk away prior to the incident. Also the airbag light would come off and on. Notice the day of the incident that the dimmer would disappear and reappear. Very strange I thought. The house could've burned down while we were sleeping. If it wasn't for our neighbors and the quick response of those firefighters it could've possibly burned the house down while we were in there sleeping. The van was picked up by the insurance company two days ago. Not sure what happened as far as it being inspected yet. They have given me the silent treatment. Went to a Chrysler dealership, not where I bought it. This van has had one recall done in 2015. Rear quarter vent window switch.

AIR BAGS

Vehicle engine exploded in the middle of the night. Car would remote start on its own as I would lock the doors and walk away prior to the incident. Also the airbag light would come off and on. Notice the day of the incident that the dimmer would disappear and reappear. Very strange I thought. The house could've burned down while we were sleeping. If it wasn't for our neighbors and the quick response of those firefighters it could've possibly burned the house down while we were in there sleeping. The van was picked up by the insurance company two days ago. Not sure what happened as far as it being inspected yet. They have given me the silent treatment. Went to a Chrysler dealership, not where I bought it. This van has had one recall done in 2015. Rear quarter vent window switch.

SEATS

I was adjusting the headrest and the active headrest Broke Free and released. No excessive pressure just a standard adjustment.

AIR BAGS

I was adjusting the headrest and the active headrest Broke Free and released. No excessive pressure just a standard adjustment.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact's partner owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while his partner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side sliding door interior and a strong burning electrical wiring odor. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact met the driver and noticed that there was a significant amount of smoke coming from the sliding door with but there was no visible flames. The contact used a fire extinguisher and extinguished the burning and smoke; however, the failure recurred after driving and parking the vehicle at the residence. The contact used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the burning and smoke. The contact the contacted the fire department who completely extinguished the burning. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V234000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact that the earliest availability to inspect the vehicle was in two weeks and half. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a field investigator would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she crashed into the rear of a stopped Tesla, which crashed into another unknown vehicle. The floor air bag deployed and struck her knees. The driver's side air bag deployed. The passenger-side airbag deployed backward and struck the front windshield. No warning lights illuminated. The driver's side seat belt fractured. The passenger side seat belt was locked in its original position. The contact was able to continue to drive. A police report was filed. There were no reported fires. The contact sustained bruises to her chest and knees, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,135.

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she crashed into the rear of a stopped Tesla, which crashed into another unknown vehicle. The floor air bag deployed and struck her knees. The driver's side air bag deployed. The passenger-side airbag deployed backward and struck the front windshield. No warning lights illuminated. The driver's side seat belt fractured. The passenger side seat belt was locked in its original position. The contact was able to continue to drive. A police report was filed. There were no reported fires. The contact sustained bruises to her chest and knees, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,135.

POWER TRAIN

The transmission failed. There were no lights on on the dash, vehicle started making a whining noise and within 12 hrs of the onset the transmission started to fail. The van would lose the ability to accelerate and put my family and other in danger because it happened on the highway and our vehicle was stopped in traffic. The check engine light did not come on until a few hours AFTER the transmission failed, but there were no light indicators prior to this happening. The transmission has been replaced after the damaged transmission was inspected by our mechanic and he stated that with less than 100k miles on the vehicle, based on the amount of metal and debris in the transmission pan, there must have been an issue with it during manufacturing. The original transmission will be returned shortly for a core refund, so will not be available for additional inspection after that. The van was test driven by our mechanic and the issue was replicated while he was driving, ie, it would not accelerate after about 5 minutes of driving.

AIR BAGS

Wife was driving down the road and side airbags deployed without cause.

AIR BAGS

I was driving in normal conditions and as i went over railroad tracks, which were not overly bumpy, the driverside headrest hit me in the back of my head while driving. It appereared to be popped out. Took it to our mechanic and the plastic that holds the retainer pin is broken, which caused the headrest to spring forward.

SUSPENSION

Having to have a new oil cooling housing replaced at 94,102 miles. Also had to change out front struts around 87,000 miles

ENGINE

Having to have a new oil cooling housing replaced at 94,102 miles. Also had to change out front struts around 87,000 miles

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The passenger sliding door won't open

ENGINE

Failure of engine oil filter housing - engine leaking oil If the engine fails, the vehicle could stop in traffic thereby putting the driver and passengers at risk of injury from other traffic. Independent repair service fixed and stated they average 1 a week. The place that diagnosed the problem said they do quite a few repairs on this engine monthly. Nothing reported but this seems to be a common problem with this engine. Large oil drip only indication of problem.