Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango Recall: Risk of Sun Visor Fire

Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 900,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles, following dozens of reports that suggest the electrical components in the sun visor vanity mirrors may short circuit and catch fire.

The Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee sun visor recall was announced by Chrysler Group LLC, on July 1, due to a wiring problem that may allow a screw to penetrate a wire in the vanity light.

At least 41 complaints of problems have been received to date, including 38 reports of fires and at least three incidents where riders suffered burn injuries. One of the vehicle owners reported the sun visor caught fire, causing them to quickly exit the vehicle before the fire spread down the door panels and throughout the entire vehicle.

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The recall includes vehicles from the 2011 through 2014 models years, which were manufactured by Chrysler from January 5, 2010 through December 11, 2013 at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan. The automaker estimates 651,000 vehicles are still in the U.S., with 45,700 in Canada, 23,000 in Mexico, and another 175,000 outside of North America.

The vanity wiring problem was first discovered in March 2011, when an investigation was opened at the Jefferson plant following a customer complaint of sun visor thermal damage. Chrysler initially believed the wiring problem occurred during the manufacturing process but learned the damage was actually caused when workers at the assembly plant were repairing incorrectly installed headliners and had to remove the visor. Chrysler also discovered the problems when dealers made repairs to the visor or headliner.

Chrysler has agreed to recall all vehicles whether they have been services or not to guarantee the wires will not short circuit or come in contact with the fastening screws. Owners should contact their dealer to schedule a free repair service that will consist installing a spacer containing a guide that will keep the lines properly routed, preventing short circuits.

So far this year U.S. automakers have recalled just fewer than 40 million vehicles surpassing the previous record of 30.8 million in 2004. Larger contributors to these heightened numbers are automakers such as Toyota, Ford, Honda and General Motors alone accounting for 26 million for faulty ignition switches.

Photo courtesy of halidCan! (: via Flickr Creative Commons

Image Credit: |Photo courtesy of halidCan! (: via Flickr Creative Commons

10 Comments

  • BobOctober 13, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Our Jeep caught fire on June 21st after we had complained to the dealer about smoke and a burning smell. They returned it to us four days later. Three days after that, it caught fire parked in our garage. My wife jumped into it and parked it in the driveway so that it would not catch the house on fire. Three months later Chrysler has done very little to make us happy. They have refused to fix it, [Show More]Our Jeep caught fire on June 21st after we had complained to the dealer about smoke and a burning smell. They returned it to us four days later. Three days after that, it caught fire parked in our garage. My wife jumped into it and parked it in the driveway so that it would not catch the house on fire. Three months later Chrysler has done very little to make us happy. They have refused to fix it, but instead has offered us a cash buyout that would still require thousands out of our pocket to replace the vehicle. We have hired an attorney. I would like to be able to compile a list of other owners to prepare for a possible class action lawsuit. Chrysler needs to step up the plate and take responsibility for this problem!

  • AlanJanuary 16, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee headliner fire. Chrysler P36 recall concerning possible fire due to vanity lamp wiring short. The recall service was completed by a Chrysler dealer in July 2015, four months prior to the fire. Date of fire was November 27, 2015. While driving the car 30 to 45 minutes prior to the fire, there was noxious fumes and smoke coming from the headliner area just above the front wi[Show More]2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee headliner fire. Chrysler P36 recall concerning possible fire due to vanity lamp wiring short. The recall service was completed by a Chrysler dealer in July 2015, four months prior to the fire. Date of fire was November 27, 2015. While driving the car 30 to 45 minutes prior to the fire, there was noxious fumes and smoke coming from the headliner area just above the front windshield. Luckily I was able to get the car home before the fire started. Thinking the problem was electrical, I was working on disconnecting the battery to stop the electrical current through the wires. Before I was able to disconnect the battery, the headliner just above the front driver's side window burst into flames. I was able to distinguish the flames with water from a garden hose and called the fire department to professionally handle the situation. They arrived within 10 minutes of the call. They cut out the headliner, cut the vanity lamp wiring and disconnected the battery. I called Chrysler on November 28, the day following the fire, to report the fire. An investigator was sent by Chrysler to investigate the incident and to submit a report to them. Chrysler has had the report in their possession since early December 2015. I have not heard anything from Chrysler regarding this matter. Even after making 10 calls to the Jeep recall center for updates...still nothing. I am told that my case has been escalated to the legal department and that I should be hearing from them within 2 to 3 business days. It's the same story every time. It's all total bs. Also, the recall center will not provide contact information for the legal department. Is there anyone out there having the same or similar issue with Chrysler, or have you been able to resolve your situation with Chrysler? If you were able to resolve your issue with them, how did you do it? What procedure did you use? Thanks.

  • MeredithJanuary 7, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    I had the recall repair made and my car caught on fire after the repair. It was frightful. Chrysler had one of their inspectors come and look at the car, take photos and interviewed me. After that they then declined responsibility stating that since "the repair had been made they were no longer liable". Really.....

  • JanetDecember 12, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    I have had a fire after the P36 recall. Tansport Canada looked into it and i am still trying to get my vehicle fixed (under warranty) after 5 1/2 months and $6000 in rental fees. What solutions or repairs have you gotten? Either from the dealer or Chrysler?

  • DanOctober 14, 2015 at 4:22 am

    P36 Recall was complied with 11/2014 for the vanity mirror. On Saturday 10/10/2015 a fire broke out above the right headliner. I had received no notice of a second recall. I was able to cut the wire after pulling the A pillar and pulling down the headliner. Flames and sparks remained. Fire was extinguished but power remained. Wires were starting to melt. I pulled fuse M20 which cut the power [Show More]P36 Recall was complied with 11/2014 for the vanity mirror. On Saturday 10/10/2015 a fire broke out above the right headliner. I had received no notice of a second recall. I was able to cut the wire after pulling the A pillar and pulling down the headliner. Flames and sparks remained. Fire was extinguished but power remained. Wires were starting to melt. I pulled fuse M20 which cut the power but also lost emergency flashers, turn signals, wipers came on and I couldn't shut off. Upon reaching a safe place, I pulled the center lighting console, terminated the vanity lighting wires pre connector to the center upper console, reinstalled M20 fuse which had not blown (weird and dangerous), and all lost functions returned to normal with the exception of the vanity mirror of course. Visited dealer and they confiscated all removed parts sun visor, center lighting console connectors and mounting hardware for "test and evaluation". What bothers me is that obviously they knew this condition existed after the original recall P36 repair was accomplished but yet I never received a notice that this condition could exist after the original P36 recall repair was accomplished. If you have had P36 addressed, I strongly urge you to have the mounting of the sun visor inspected as fire is a definite/strong possibility.

  • adrianaAugust 7, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    did the car rental was given by Chrysler or your insurance ??? thanks!!!

  • lindaJune 29, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    My Jeep Grand Cherokee caught on fire after the recall work was done. 3 months later still driving a rental car. Chrysler is trying to work out a deal but it is a long process or they just slow about the situation.

  • ToddJune 23, 2015 at 3:40 am

    Mine caught fire June 2015 several weeks after the recall repair. How long did it take Jeep to contact those who posted. Been over 2 weeks so far. I have been given a rental car.

  • SueMay 6, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    My Jeep Grand Cherokee caught fire after recall work was done. Seven weeks later, I hired an attorney. Chrysler will not release the safety reports. I lost a lot of money at the dealership.u

  • MelissaApril 21, 2015 at 12:26 am

    My jeep caught fire AFTER I got the recall repaired at the dealership!

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