Sun Visor Fire Risk Leads to Recall of Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokees

Almost 400,000 Chrysler vehicles are being recalled for the second time due to a wiring defect in the vanity lamp, which may lead to a short circuit and a fire hazard. 

The Chrysler Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee recall was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on January 14, following additional reports of the vanity lamps wiring short circuiting, sometimes causing vehicle fires.

To date, the automaker has received at least 47 reports of the wiring harnesses overheating, with several reported fires involving Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs.

Chrysler originally initiated a recall in July 2014, impacting roughly 640,000 vehicles experiencing short circuiting issues in the vanity mirrors. The recall was initially issued due to a wiring problem in the vanity mirror and headliner.

During a January 2014 NHTSA investigation, the Office of Defects Investigation found that it was possible for an electrical short in the sun visor’s unprotected wiring to occur if it was pierced by one of the three metal screws fastening the visor to the roof.

Since the original recall, the manufacturer has received at least 47 warranty claims indicating the vanity mirror overheated, causing smoke and fires to emanate from the headliner. According to the NHTSA, some of the vehicles included in the newest recall were part of the 2014 recall, but were not remedied properly.

Chrysler’s repairs consisted of a plastic guide way installed on each sun visor that routes the wiring away from the metal screws, preventing the wires from being shorted. The repair required the headliners to be lowered and the existing sun visor and headliner wiring rerouted through the guide way for installment.

The recall includes 388,504 model year 2011 through 2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 through September 1, 2012. Chrysler announced that even if the vehicles have already been repaired for short circuiting vanity mirror, additional review by a licensed dealer is required.

The NHTSA announced that Chryslers recall remedy is still being developed and the automaker is currently working on a notification schedule that will explain the ongoing issue and provide information for customers to schedule a repair at their local licensed dealer. Customers with further questions are encouraged to contact Chrysler Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403 and reference recall number R71.