A class-action lawsuit has been filed against FCA US, the parent company of the Chrysler brand, by consumers who say that their vehicle headrests were defective. During a rear-end collision, the AHR should spring forward and push the headrest out to prevent whiplash.
The Chrysler class-action states that the AHR can deploy without any warning and will strike the back of a person’s head. This causes injury to the head and neck of vehicle occupants, and can increase the risk of collisions.
Many of the consumers involved in this class-action claim that this is due to a low quality plastic bracket that actually triggers the AHR. And despite Chrysler knowing about the defect since 2010, vehicle owners did not receive compensation for harm and damages.
As of September 2019, The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation on the headrests. The Chrysler vehicles that have been recalled are:
- 2010-2018 Dodge Journey
- 2010-2011 Dodge Nitro
- 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty
- 2010-2017 Jeep Patriot or Compass
- 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber
- 2010-2018 Dodge Caravan
- 2011-2018 Dodge Ram C/V
- 2011-2018 Dodge Durango
- 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2010-2014 Sebring/Avenger
- 2011-2018 Chrysler Town & Country
- 2011-2018 Chrysler 200
- 2011-2018 Chrysler 300
Some vehicle owners have already seen the direct effects of this recall. One anonymous consumer with a 2016 Dodge Journey who recently found out about the recall relayed their experience on the class-action’s message board:
“I was rear ended and my headrest deployed. I never knew about that issue. The headrest is still deployed.”
What To Do If Your Vehicle is Recalled
Generally speaking, either the vehicle company or the NHTSA will send a letter to consumers about the recall along with some next steps which include the following:
- Vehicle’s description
- Risks and hazards of the defect
- Warning signs of the defect
- How and when the manufacturer should fix the problem
- Instructions with your next steps
Consumers will commonly take the vehicle to a local dealership to repair the issue. Show a manager your recall letter to ensure you won’t be charged for the repair. If the dealership is unable to fix the vehicle, free of charge, contact the manufacturer directly.
If you have not received a recall letter and you own a recalled vehicle, check NHTSA’s website to see if your model qualifies for the recall. From there, their website should guide you through the next steps you need to take to ensure your vehicle is safe.
If you have questions about if your insurance will cover incidents caused by vehicle defects, call your insurance provider or one of our partners at QuotePurple.
Also Read: Who Gets In More Accidents: Men or Women? (Study)