Chrysler Recalls Almost 300,000 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town And Country Minivans Over Airbag Issue

Chrysler is recalling 299,718 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans from the 2008 model year to fix a problem that could cause the airbags to deploy unexpectedly.

The automaker said that the issue is related to the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) modules that controls the airbags. According to the company, the OCR module may have been exposed to moisture. If this happens, it could lead to the airbag warning light going on while in some cases, the airbag could deploy for no reason. Obviously, this could result in injury to the seat occupant in front of the deploying airbag, potentially leading to a crash.

“Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler Grand Voyager, Town & Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured from June 24, 2007, through July 30, 2008,” NHTSA website reads.

“These vehicles may experience a heating and air conditioner (HVAC) condensate leak from the HVAC drain grommet onto the occupant restraint control (ORC) module, which can lead to the illumination of the airbag warning light and a potential inadvertent airbag deployment without warning,” according to documentation filed with the federal government.

As expected. most of the minivans are in the U.S., but there are also 50,251 in Canada, 3,748 in Mexico, and 13,633 export models.

The remedy? Well, “DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.”

The owners will begin receiving letters in September to schedule an appointment with their dealership’s service department, where the ORC modules will be replaced at no cost to the customer.

Source: NHTSA
Photos Source: Carscoop