Lemon Law News – Faulty Fire Extinguishers Force Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Recall

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will recall a wide array of vehicles equipped with potentially faulty fire extinguishers.

The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based manufacturer will recall 62,042 vehicles including the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 2014-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, 2007 Dodge Caliber, 2009 Dodge Challenger, 2016 Dodge Charger, 2015-2016 Dodge Dart, 2004 Dodge Durango, 2014-2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2014 Dodge Journey, 2014-2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2014 Dodge Journey, 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee, 2017 Jeep Compass, 2011 Jeep Patriot, 2012-2015 Ram 1500, 2013-2018 Ram 2500, 2012-2018 Ram 3500, 2012-2018 Ram 4500, 2012-2018 Ram 5500, 2014-2017 Ram ProMaster, and 2015-2017 Ram ProMaster City.

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The affected vehicles are equipped with Kidde fire extinguishers that had been previously recalled. These extinguishers can become clogged, keeping them from discharging as intended or requiring excessive force to operate. Some extinguishers have nozzles that can detach from the valve with dangerous force, also rendering the extinguisher inoperable.

FCA first learned of the problem on Nov. 3, 2017. The company compared Kidde’s recall list to those placed within FCA vehicles and determined several assembly pants, up-fit centers and ports of entry were equipping vehicles with the defective extinguishers.

The manufacturer opened an official investigation on Nov. 7, 2017, and requested yard holds at all effected plants, up-fit centers and ports of entry on Nov. 9, 2017. FCA’s investigators began a full historical part investigation on Nov. 20, 2017, checking all vehicles dating back to 1973 for Kidde-produced emergency kits and fire extinguishers.

The company decided on Dec. 18, 2017 to conduct a safety recall.

FCA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-271-0773, or online at www.kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T82. Concerned owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.

If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you.

Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.

Think you have a lemon, click here to fill out a 60 second form.

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