At Cronauer Law, we are deeply concerned about Chrysler’s recent recall of the 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer due to faulty side curtain airbags. The recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 23V-545, FCA recall number 76A) highlights a significant safety failure—improperly seated upper B-pillar trim that may interfere with airbag deployment. This defect could mean the difference between life and death in a serious crash, particularly if an occupant is ejected due to the side curtain airbags failing to deploy correctly.
What is the Safety Concern?
The issue revolves around the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 226, “Ejection Mitigation,” which is designed to prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle during a collision. Chrysler’s failure to meet this standard means that the side curtain airbag, a critical safety component, may not deploy as intended. When a side curtain airbag fails, the forces exerted on the body increase dramatically, leading to severe or fatal injuries.
The Danger in Rollover Crashes
Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of accidents, often leading to occupant ejection and severe injuries. The faulty side curtain airbags in affected Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles significantly increase the risk of catastrophic injury in these scenarios.
Side curtain airbags are designed to enhance occupant safety by providing protection in side-impact and rollover crashes. Their primary functions include:
- Preventing Head and Upper Body Injuries – Side curtain airbags deploy along the windows to cushion occupants from impacts against the vehicle’s interior, other objects, or intruding vehicles.
- Reducing the Risk of Ejection – In rollover crashes, they act as a barrier to help keep occupants inside the vehicle, preventing partial or complete ejection, a leading cause of fatalities.
- Enhancing Side-Impact Protection – They deploy instantly in a crash to absorb impact forces and minimize the risk of severe trauma to the head, neck, and upper torso.
- Providing Extended Protection – Unlike front airbags, side curtain airbags typically remain inflated for a longer duration, offering continuous protection in multi-impact crashes and rollovers.
When these airbags fail to deploy properly, as seen in the Jeep Wagoneer recall, the risk of head trauma, ejection, and other serious injuries significantly increases.
Potential Liability for FCA US
FCA US may be liable for injuries sustained in crashes where these faulty side curtain airbags failed to protect occupants properly. If the airbag does not deploy as intended, victims of such accidents may face catastrophic consequences, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and wrongful death due to ejection.
Victims who have been injured in a crash involving a 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer should seek legal counsel immediately. Our firm specializes in holding negligent manufacturers accountable for their dangerous products. If your injuries were worsened because of Chrysler’s defective safety measures, you may have grounds for a product liability claim.
Key Details of the Recall
- Affected Vehicles: Approximately 44,708 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs from model years 2022 and 2023, manufactured between February 24, 2021, and June 7, 2022.
- Estimated Defect Rate: 15% of the affected vehicles may have the defect.
- Safety Risk: A faulty side curtain airbag can fail to deploy correctly, increasing the risk of serious injury or fatal ejection during a crash.
- Warning Signs: Drivers may notice a loose fit and/or rattling noise in the B-pillar trim, which could indicate a defect.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reseat or replace any loose or broken upper B-pillar interior trim pieces free of charge.
- Supplier Information: The affected B-pillar molding components were manufactured by Century Plastics Inc., based in Shelby Township, Michigan.
- Notification: Chrysler began mailing owner notification letters on September 22, 2023.
How This Issue Was Discovered
FCA (Chrysler) became aware of the potential issue with the upper B-pillar trim affecting side curtain airbag (SABIC) deployment on June 14, 2022, when its Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization was notified of the problem. This marked the beginning of their internal investigation.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V545-5032.PDF
Timeline of Events:
- June 14, 2022: FCA TSRC was alerted to a potential issue with improperly seated upper B-pillar trim that could interfere with SABIC deployment.
- June 2022 – October 2022: FCA analyzed warranty claims, customer records, and vehicle history to identify instances of improperly seated trim. Initial meetings were held with FCA Interior Engineering and Manufacturing to review the issue and understand the design and failure mode.
- October 2022 – February 2023: FCA continued meetings with Restraints Engineering, Interior Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to further investigate the issue and its potential consequences.
- February 2023 – June 2023: Discussions were finalized, and FCA determined the suspect population of vehicles affected by the defect.
- June 21, 2023: FCA officially recognized that a manufacturing defect existed in certain vehicles related to improperly installed upper B-pillar trim, resulting in noncompliance with FMVSS No. 226.
- July 28, 2023: FCA’s Vehicle Regulations Committee decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
- August 3, 2023: FCA formally submitted the recall report to NHTSA.
Key Points:
- FCA had knowledge of the issue as early as June 14, 2022, but it took over a year (until August 2023) for the recall to be issued.
- The delay involved extensive investigations into warranty claims, design reviews, and manufacturing processes before determining the scope of affected vehicles and implementing corrective actions.
This timeline suggests that while FCA followed a structured process to address the defect, they may face criticism for not acting more quickly after initially learning of the problem in mid-2022.
What Should Victims Do?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer, it is critical to determine whether the faulty airbag system contributed to your injuries. Checking your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website can confirm if your vehicle is part of the recall.
Chrysler has a reimbursement policy for prior repair expenses related to the affected B-pillar trim. However, this does not compensate victims for the pain, suffering, and medical expenses resulting from a crash where the defective airbag system failed to provide adequate protection.
Holding Chrysler Accountable
Cronauer Law is committed to advocating for victims of defective vehicle manufacturing. If you were injured because of a faulty side curtain airbag, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. FCA US must be held accountable for putting drivers and passengers at risk.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured due to Chrysler’s negligence, contact our legal team today. We offer free consultations to assess your case and determine the best course of action. Don’t wait—your safety and justice matter.
For additional details, visit the official NHTSA website or contact your local Jeep dealership, but if you need legal assistance, reach out to us today.
