Fiat Chrysler recalling 297,000 vehicles due to unintentional air bag deployments

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 297,000 older minivans in North America due to wiring issue that can result in unintended air bag deployments, the company stated on Thursday.

The recall of 2011-2012 model year Dodge Grand Caravan minivans is connected to eight minor injuries, the car manufacturer stated, after initially reporting 13 injuries. Wiring may short-circuit, leading to the driver-side air bag deploying without warning.

The recall will start in late July and consists of 209,000 automobiles in the United States and almost 88,000 vehicles in Canada. Dealerships will replace the wiring if required and add protective covering.

Carmakers have been recalling tens of millions of vehicles over the last few years for a series of air bag issues, generally tied to Takata inflators.

Over a dozen automakers have recalled 46 million Takata air bag inflators in 29 million U.S. vehicles that can burst and emit deadly metal fragments. By 2019, automakers are going to recall 64 million to 69 million U.S. inflators in 42 million vehicles, U.S. regulators stated in December.

The new Fiat Chrysler recall is not connected to Takata, the company stated.