Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango Recall Should Be Expanded: Safety Group

Chrysler is recalling more than 230,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles due to a risk that the SUVs may stall suddenly while in use, but a prominent consumer safety group indicates that the recall should include nearly 5 million other Chrysler vehicles.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango recall (PDF) was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on September 19, after determining certain vehicles with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may have issues with the fuel pump relay, potentially causing the vehicles to stall while being driven.

Although no injuries or accidents have been linked to the defect, the risk of a sudden stall while the vehicle is in motion may pose a serious risk for consumers and others on the road.

Chrysler became aware of the issue on October 1, 2013, when the TIPM-7 parts went on national backorder and they noticed a trend of stalling or “no start” complaints by consumers.

As Chrysler continued to receive similar incident reports, the automaker conducted an in-house analysis of the problem that led them to find a snowball effect of problems. The company claims its analysis determined that the root problem stemmed from a deformation of the contact springs due to the heat caused by contact power, the ambient temperature around the fuel pump relay, and the battery voltage.

The analysis determined the combination of these factors in high amounts may lead to premature fuel pump relay failure, which could cause the vehicles to intermittently fail to start, not stay running after starting, stall, or cause the fuel pump to continue running after the vehicle is turned off. Chrysler determined a recall was necessary due to the safety risk of a vehicle stalling during use.

The recall affects certain model year 2011 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with either a 3.6L or a 5.7L engine that were manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011.

Consumer Groups Say Larger Recall Needed

Chrysler has limited the recall to only those particular Durango and Cherokee vehicles equipped with the TIPM-7 system, which affects more than 230,000 vehicles worldwide and 188,723 in the U.S. However, critics suggest that the automaker is not going far enough.

The Center for Auto Safety , a nonprofit advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader, has said the recall is inadequate and does not cover the nearly 5 million other Chrysler vehicles that have the same fuel pump power control module as the Grand Cherokee and Durango models.

Executive director for The Center for Auto Safety group, Clarence Ditlow, claimed Chrysler is avoiding a massive recall that would include millions of Dodge Ram pickup trucks, Chrysler and Dodge minivans, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey SUV’s, the Jeep Wrangler, and various other models designed with the same electrical power control module used since 2007.

The safety group claims they alone have received at least 70 complaints of various Chrysler vehicles and that the government safety officials have received hundreds of similar complaints related to the TIPM-7 system. The TIPM-7 consists of a computer, relays, and fuses that distribute power throughout the entire vehicle.

Last month, Ditlow’s group filed a petition asking the NHTSA to investigate power system failures in Chrysler vehicles that could cause them to stall while being driven. Ditlow stated the NHTSA has yet to make a decision whether to open a formal investigation into what may lead to a multi-million car recall.

Some allegations to support the petition have claimed the pump failures have caused unintended acceleration, fires, as well as causing air bags not to inflate. Currently the NHTSA is looking into a recent complaint of a New Jersey man whose Chrysler minivan unexpectedly stalled after refueling.

For now at least, Chrysler plans to notify owners and dealers of the fuel pump relay issue by mail and plans to begin repairing the recalled vehicle’s TIPM-7 free of charge by October 24. Owners with questions may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 and reference the recall number P54.