Fiat Chrysler recalls over a million vehicles due to fire, air bag risks

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is voluntarily recalling more than a million vehicles in the United States over issues with alternators and airbag wiring.

The automaker says approximately 442,214 vehicles need to have their alternators replaced. This includes Chrysler 300 sedans, Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Durangos from model years 2011 to 2014; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

“Certain alternators supplied to the Company may be subject to premature diode wear following frequent load cycling, at or near maximum amperage, in hot ambient temperatures,” FCA said in a press release. “The diode wear may cause illumination of an instrument-cluster warning light and/or the presence of a burning odor or smoke.”

So far, FCA is aware of two accidents that may be linked to the issue.

FCA is also announced in two separate press releases that it is recalling over 500,000 vehicles to “provide additional protection for certain wiring that accommodates air-bag function.” The recalls affect 2011-2015 Dodge Journey crossovers and 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.

The automaker says the wiring in these vehicles may “chafe against pieces of steering-wheel trim, potentially causing a short-circuit. This may lead to a second short-circuit that is potentially capable of generating inadvertent deployment of the driver-side front air bag.”

A total of 13 minor injuries potentially related to the issue have been reported so far.

Customers affected by the recalls will be notified via mail and will be able to get a fix free of charge at their local dealers.

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