The affected vehicles were manufactured between Nov. 1, 2001, and June 30, 2004. A component in the airbag control module may fail, causing the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Chrysler will begin notifying owners of the recall this month, and dealers will repair the vehicles for free once a remedy is made available later this year. Owners with questions may call Chrysler at 800-247-9753 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236. They also can go to www.safercar.gov.
The Viper recall is an expansion of one last year involving similar airbag and seat belt pretensioner issues in 744,822 model-year 2002-03 Jeep Liberty small SUVs and model year 2002-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.
Former Assistant Managing Editor-News Matt Schmitz is a veteran Chicago journalist indulging his curiosity for all things auto while helping to inform car shoppers.