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NHTSA investigating 630k Jeep Wranglers for possible airbag fault

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a preliminary evaluation into a possible wiring problem on some 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler models that could affect airbag deployment. The government agency has 221 complaints alleging that the airbag warning light is illuminating, and that could indicate that the safety devices might not deploy in a crash. If a recall is necessary, an estimated 630,000 vehicles could be affected. According to the documents from NHTSA (as a PDF here), a "faulty clockspring assembly in the driver side airbag electrical circuit" could be the culprit. Also, some of the affected Wranglers are showing a fault code that indicates the safety device wouldn't deploy in an accident. However at this time, there are no reports of injuries related to this potential problem. NHTSA's preliminary evaluations are simply meant to investigate and don't necessarily lead to a recall. This isn't the first time for a potential problem like this on the Wrangler, though. A clockspring issue already led to a safety campaign for 2008-2012 right-hand drive Wranglers and an extended warranty for 2007 left-hand drive examples. Related Video: INVESTIGATION Subject : Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure Date Investigation Opened: JUN 19, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: PE15025 Component(s): AIR BAGS All Products Associated with this Investigation Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) JEEP WRANGLER 2007-2012 JEEP WRANGLER 2-DR 4X4 2007-2009 JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X2 2007-2009 JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4 2007-2009 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA 2007 Details Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: The subject vehicles display an airbag warning light that may indicate a failure of the clockspring wiring in the driver side air bag circuit. Several complaints cite the following diagnostic trouble code (DTC): Code B1B02 Open Squib to driver's air bag. This DTC would indicate a no-fire condition (disablement) for the driver air bag. ODI investigated the RHD (right hand drive) Wrangler for a clockspring issue under PE11-019 which led to NHTSA Recall 11V258 on model year (MY) 2008-2012 RHD Wranglers as well as an extended warranty campaign on MY 2007 LHD Wrangler vehicles. This investigation covers the MY07-12 LHD (left hand drive) Wranglers.

FCA facing class-action lawsuit over Grand Cherokee shifters

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is now facing a multi-million-dollar class-action lawsuit over the recalled shifter design in the 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Grand Cherokee owners, galvanized by Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin's fatal accident, filed the suit. According to The Wall Street Journal, the owners allege that FCA concealed the shifter's problems. On top of restitution, the class action suit is demanding a court order force FCA to issue a do-not-drive warning to owners of affected vehicles until it fixes the problem. FCA started distributing a software fix to dealers last week – according to the WSJ, the update will add more warnings about the shifter's position and will automatically kick the vehicle into park if the driver steps out. FCA's shifter problems have been bubbling under the surface as part of the company's recall issues. The US government dinged FCA with a $105 million fine last year for its recall practices (or lack thereof) last year, but things have exploded this week after Yelchin's death. The 27-year-old, best known for playing Ensign Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek film series, was killed after his 2015 Grand Cherokee rolled down his driveway and pinned the actor against a security gate. According to Jeep CEO Mike Manley, the company will dispatch engineers to analyze Yelchin's vehicle. Related Video:

Trying the new Compass and other Jeeps on for size

If any brand has license to sell several like-sized SUVs, it's Jeep, which invented the concept in the first place. Yet, with the Cherokee, Renegade, and the redesigned 2017 Jeep Compass revealed at the LA Auto Show, just how like-sized is this trio of compact SUVs? Well, as it turns out, that answer is more complicated than just looking at various spreadsheets of specifications. After the cover was pulled off the new Compass, I managed to explore each back-to-back-to-back to see how their back seats and cargo areas compare. Perhaps obviously, the Renegade is the smallest of the trio no matter how you look it. Well, it actually has the most headroom, but rear legroom is cramped (a 6-footer can't sit behind another 6-footer) and it's quite obvious the cargo area is about nine cubic feet smaller with the rear seats raised. However, the Cherokee and Compass are surprisingly similar both on paper and in person – and even more surprisingly, the newer, smaller-on-the-outside Compass is actually a bit more spacious despite being nine inches shorter in overall length. View 14 Photos When seated in back, my knees were just touching the driver seat when it was motored most of the way back to accommodate my 6-foot-3 frame. However, the Cherokee's slightly chunkier seatback meant the Compass actually had a bit more rear legroom. I then set the passenger seat to a more average distance and again, the Compass had a slight advantage. The Cherokee did have a bit more under-thigh support, however, which indicates the seat is mounted a bit higher. But that creates a problem, as headroom is more significantly affected when the panoramic sunroof is specified. In the Cherokee, my head was into the sunroof cavity and resting against its rigid surround. In the Compass, there was just enough clearance. It should be a difference, both in terms of headroom and perceived roominess that those of average height should notice. As for their cargo areas, the Compass' is larger and more useable. With the rear seats raised, it has 27.2 cubic feet versus the Cherokee's 24.6. You can scoot its sliding seat forward to nearly equal the Compass, but of course doing so reduces its rear legroom. The main reason is width. The Cherokee is noticeably narrow and it gets worse when equipped with the optional subwoofer. In terms of maximum cargo volume with the rear seats lowered, the Compass has 59.8 cubic feet to the Cherokee's 54.9.