The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (MHTSA) reportedly is investigating 1.2m Chrysler vehicles over ignition switch issues.
The Detroit News said the US agency has opened two investigations following complaints that the driver’s knee can move the ignition switch out of the ‘run’ position, stalling the vehicle and disabling the air bags. However, there have not been any reports of injuries due to non-deployment of airbags.
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The first investigation involves 700,000 2008-10 Grand Caravan, Town and Country and Journey minivans. The key rotates from ‘run’ to ‘accessory’ on rough roads or when bumped, leading to engine shut down. NHTSA has received 23 complaints in this investigation but there have been no reports of deaths or injuries.
The other investigation involves 525,000 2006-07 Jeep Commanders and 2005-06 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The agency has received 32 complaints stating that following contact of the key fob or key chain with the driver’s knee, the ignition turned off.
For both investigations NHTSA said: “If this occurs, the vehicle’s airbags may not deploy in the event of a frontal crash. NHTSA is not aware of any related incidents involving airbag non-deployments at this time.
“According to Chrysler, when the vehicle is initially started and the ignition key is released from the start position, a spring force rotates the key back to the run position. However, in some instances, the switch may over-travel, leaving the ignition key between the run and (accessory) position. While in this intermediate position, harsh roadway conditions or driver interaction with the ignition key can cause the switch to move to the (accessory) position which may disable the frontal air bags in a crash where deployment is warranted.”
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By GlobalDataSeparately, Chrysler has launched an investigation of its own.
The company had recalled 197,000 2010 Dodge Journeys, Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Countrys in March 2011 for accidental ignition key rotation. In June 2011, Chrysler had added a detent ring to the switch to make it stiffer.
Even after the fix, some owners of 2010 models continued to experience the same problem, NHTSA said.
