Chrysler is recalling 895,000 SUVs due to faulty wiring in the vanity mirrors that is subject to short-circuit and can lead to fire.
Chrysler Group, the renowned American automobile brand, is recalling 895,000 sport utility vehicles (SUV) due to a wiring problem in the vanity mirrors that may lead to fire.
The vanity mirrors' wiring may not have been assembled correctly, increasing the risk of short-circuit that can lead to fire. The recall includes two Chrysler models, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durangos, which were previously repaired by the company.
"Some Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles may experience a high resistive short at the vanity lamp wiring after a service repair to the sun visor, headline or while gaining access above the headliner that may result in an inoperative vanity lamp or a potential fire," according to the description of the problem in the NHTSA's recall notice.
According to the NHTSA's recall notice filed by Chrysler earlier this month, Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees with model years 2011-2014 have been included in the recall.
The latest recall is a result of an investigation led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Customer complaints started coming in 2011 about sun visor thermal damage. In August last year, the NHTSA opened an investigation in response to reports about fires near the vanity mirror. The authorities emphasized on a recall after receiving 41 complaints, 38 fire reports and three injuries, which Chrysler responded to in March with a letter that said there was no risk to vehicle's safety. The authorities had to pressurise the company to agree to a recall, NY Times reports.
The auto industry is facing scrutiny with a high number of recalls in recent times. The NHTSA is taking all complaints seriously. GM alone has recalled nearly 30 million vehicles this year. Other car makers such as Ford have also added millions of vehicles to the recalls, setting a new record for recalled vehicles this year.
The NHTSA is also investigating other Chrysler vehicles for an ignition problem, which landed GM in a recall crisis earlier this year.
