Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Aug. 9, 2018 they will recall more than 12,000 Jeep vehicles equipped with potentially defective powertrain controllers.
The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based manufacturer will recall 12,779 2018 Jeep Renegade vehicles built between Nov. 28, 2017 and May 28, 2018.
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The affected vehicles contain powertrain controllers with a “suspect” voltage regulator chip, according to FCA’s safety recall report. If the voltage regulator fails the powertrain controller will not function, potentially causing engine stalls and increasing crash risk.
FCA’s recall chronology stated the company’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization first learned of powertrain controller failures in the Latin American market on June 8, 2018. Investigators found two vehicles in the North American market showing the same symptoms on June 22, 2018. Engineers began their investigation on June 28, 2018 and opened communication with component supplier Continental Automotive Systems of Seguin, Texas. FCA decided on Aug. 2, 2018 to initiate a voluntary safety recall.
Neither the safety recall report nor the recall chronology offered further details about the defect’s nature.
FCA will notify owners and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U87. 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.
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