Fiat Chrysler recalls nearly 900,000 SUVs for airbag and brake faults
Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee and Dodge Journey models built between 2003 and 2015 are affected by global recalls to address airbag and anti-lock brake problems.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced the recall of nearly 900,000 SUVs worldwide in late 2015 to address separate problems with airbag deployment and anti-lock brake systems. The action affects Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Journey models built between 2003 and 2015.
Scope of the recalls
The largest group involves 284,089 Jeep Liberty (2003) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (2004) SUVs in the United States, where FCA is replacing components in the airbag deployment system. The company linked seven injuries to the airbag fault, but said there were no fatalities. FCA stated these vehicles do not use Takata airbags, which have been at the centre of a separate, high-profile recall affecting multiple manufacturers.
Additional recalls for the same airbag issue cover 3,411 vehicles in Canada, 6,277 in Mexico and 48,212 elsewhere. FCA is notifying owners and dealers in affected markets. The recall is not limited to North America, with a substantial number of vehicles outside the NAFTA region also included.
Anti-lock brake recall for Dodge Journey
A separate recall affects 2012–2015 Dodge Journey cross-utility vehicles. In the United States, 275,614 units are being recalled to replace parts in the anti-lock brake system. Similar actions are underway in Canada (78,148 vehicles), Mexico (36,471) and non-NAFTA markets (151,476). FCA reported no injuries or accidents linked to the brake issue at the time of the announcement.
- Jeep Liberty (2003): airbag system recall
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (2004): airbag system recall
- Dodge Journey (2012–2015): anti-lock brake recall
Context and industry comparisons
The FCA recalls follow a series of high-profile safety campaigns by other manufacturers. For example, BMW recently recalled over 30,000 X5 SUVs in the US for a brake defect, while Mercedes-Benz called back nearly 103,000 M-Class SUVs in the US for similar reasons. Airbag-related recalls have also affected brands such as Audi and Lexus, often involving different suppliers and technical issues.
Owners of affected FCA vehicles are being contacted with instructions for free repairs. The company urged customers to respond promptly to recall notices to ensure vehicle safety.
