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2004-2007 Durangos involved in Takata airbag recall

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Don Fox

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Gents and Gals:
It appears that a number of our Gen 2 D's will be receiving new driver side air bag assemblies:


Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC


SUMMARY:

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2005-2007 Dodge Ram 2500, Charger, Magnum, Dakota, Chrysler 300, 300C, SRT8, 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 3500 and Mitsubishi Raider, and 2007 Chrysler Aspen. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. CONSEQUENCE:

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants. REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Some of the vehicles included in this recall were recalled under safety recall 14V-354, and that addresses vehicles sold, or currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Owners of those vehiicles were notified earlier in December 2014. Chrysler has not determined a date for notifying the remaining owners of vehicles included in this national recall campaign. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P81. Note: This recall supersedes, in part, safety recall 14V-354 as to the driver's air bag inflators on the vehicles included in this recall. NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
 
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#2 ·
This has me concerned, even though I have a 03 Durango. During a transmission replacement several years ago, it was discovered the transfer case on my 03 is a MY 04 transfer case. My 03 was a late build; makes me wonder what other 04 parts made it into my 03 Durango.....
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
TGB:
As you know, 03 was the last year for the Gen 1 D's. I have not seen anything yet mentioning anything older than 04.
If this changes, someone here will post it in short order.

Don
 
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#4 ·
I know if it's known, then there would be a possible recall; given we had to find out the hard way my 03 has an 04 TC, if the airbag or any other parts on my 03 came from the 04 parts bins, we would have no way of knowing until that particular part had to be replaced.
I would imagine if my 03 has random 04 parts, then there could be other Durangos as well in the same situation.
It's also possible if the 04's are included, some of the faulty airbags could have made it into earlier years as well, but have not been caught and/or notices sent.

I did receive the recall for my 06 Charger, and have opened a ticket and ordered parts at my local dealer.

Thanks!
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
TGB:
Having owned an 01, and now an 04 Durango, the air bag (at least the drivers side) is physically different from the Gen 1 to Gen 2. I guess its possible that Takata may have produced the Gen 1 units, but I don't believe an 01-03 air bag will fit a Gen 2 wheel.

Which T case does your D have, the NV133, NV233, NV144, or NV244?

Don
 
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#6 ·
Not sure exactly which TC it is; the D is a the RT with full time AWD; limited slip rear, open front diffs.
We found out ti was an 04 after the dealer had to replace my transmission under warranty, and the TC was out. They had trouble finding an output shaft seal for the TC for an 03. Finally one of the techs took the original seal to the parts guy and they went thru the inventory till they found one that matched, for an 04 TC. After further investigation by the dealer and techs, they found the TC was for an 04. I bought the truck new in mid 04, it was a special order and was never picked up by the original customer.
 
#7 ·
hm, NV244.. the 04 NV244 is different from the 03 NV244, but apparently it bolts up.. that's the only transfer case that was available on both 03 and 04 models..

I wonder if a VIN lookup for the part would have found the right part..
 
#8 ·
tomk said:
hm, NV244.. the 04 NV244 is different from the 03 NV244, but apparently it bolts up.. that's the only transfer case that was available on both 03 and 04 models..

I wonder if a VIN lookup for the part would have found the right part..
Click to expand...
Using the VIN, they got the seal for the 03 TC.
Not sure if it was a mix-up on the assembly line, intentional, or they were just simply out of the 03 TC as mine came down the line.
As far as function, I have had zero issues with the TC; regular maintenance of course.
One of those "dunno" things.
 
#9 ·
we had heard there were some substitutions on late '03s when we were on a plant tour.. but I'd hope in this day and age that would be noted in the various databases..

this isn't unusual... my dad ordered a very-early-build '69 Town and Country (took delivery in sep 68).. the alt/pspump/etc were apparently from a 68, I remember the first time he did a belt change on it I heard some new words..

...tom
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
TGB:
Had I looked, I would have seen your mention of the R/T in your sig which would have told me NV-244. It's a great T case.
Was the trans done under the 3/36 or the 7/70 powertrain warranty? Recall that your 46re trans should have its bands adjusted every 30K.
Glad to hear it all worked out.

Don
 
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#11 ·
The trans was done under my extended SC I purchased. Pulled into my regular morning stop for some smokes and coffee, came back out and no reverse. Got pushed out of the parking space, pulled it into drive and drove straight to the dealer's service lane. The trans was "whirring", "zinging", and growling all the way. Had about 80k on the odometer when the trans went, so it was out of both the 3/36 and 7/70; I had purchased a 5/100 extended, so that covered it with a $100 deductible.
They called me the next day and told me the trans had a "catastrophic failure". Duh! They replaced the trans with a reman from Detroit with a 3/36 warranty on it. I've had no further issues with the trans and I'm at about 159k now.
As far as maintenance, let's say I take my service schedule very seriously, on both my 03 Durango and 06 Charger. I have all service and maintenance records on each vehicle in a binder in the vehicle. I'm never more than 100-150 miles late on any service, and usually have them done early. Probably why they gave me no guff or even a question on replacing the trans...they *knew* I had service records and they would be in for a real fight if they tried to say it wasn't serviced properly.

At one service visit, I asked the dealer service writer "The tech did adjust the bands, correct? I don't see it on the ticket" and the reply was "The transmission with the 4.7 does not have bands." My response was "Oh, really?!"
Needless to say the service manager and I had words right then and there, and the trans service was done a second time, new fluid and filter (again) and the bands adjusted. I got to watch. :)
Come to think of it, never did see that particular service writer again....wonder what happened to him....bawhahahaha!!!
LOL



Thanks!
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
TGB:
Good to hear that you take the upkeep of your vehicles seriously. If the SA stated that the trans supplied with the 4.7 engine has no bands, he was correct. The 45RFE/545RFE trans does not have bands to adjust.
The first year for the 45RFE trans in the Durango was 00, and only behind the 4.7L. It was not put behind anything else Durango wise until 04 when the Hemi became an option.
The series of trans in your D though 46re along with its less gutsy brethren 44re and 42re do have bands that require adjustment.

Don
 
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#13 ·
The series of trans in your D though 46re along with its less gutsy brethren 44re and 42re do have bands that require adjustment.

That's what my "conversation" with the service manager mainly consisted of; making sure they understood that I had the 5.9, and my trans did indeed have bands that required adjustment. Needless to say, he was not allowed to speak very much while I had his "undivided" attention. Let's say he had a "new one" when I was finished with him. :)
It was not a pleasant time to be in that service department that day.
As far as I know, there were no Durango RTs with a 4.7; all 03 RTs were 5.9 with AWD, at least as far as I can find out.


Don[/QUOTE]
 
#14 ·
I have a 2005 durango that was manufactured in 10/04.
My vehicle is under this recall but, my dealer said they don't have the parts to fix them in yet so another call on Monday to find out.
Such a inconvenience but, glad they are fixing it.

Now if Chrysler would accept the many other issues these vehicles have we would be great lol

I'm still waiting for them to accept fault for the cowl screen issues causing miss fire problems.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
@TGB:
Agreed!

@ Kristin:
It would not surprise me that parts could take a while since the Gen 2 D went out of production in early 2009.
Sadly, I think the cowl issue is too old to expect help with it even though it would be a great goodwill gesture.
What are your other issues? That is why we are here!

I called my dealer yesterday to inquire about this recall, and was not happy to be told that my D's VIN was no longer in their system. After supplying it, I was told that program P81 does not include my vehicle.
I understand that the original program applied only to vehicles registered in high humidity areas, but thought this later program was much broader.

Don
 
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#16 ·
Don Fox said:
I called my dealer yesterday to inquire about this recall, and was not happy to be told that my D's VIN was no longer in their system. After supplying it, I was told that program P81 does not include my vehicle.
I understand that the original program applied only to vehicles registered in high humidity areas, but thought this later program was much broader.
Don
Click to expand...
I wonder if the vin check on the dodge owner's site matches that info..
 
#17 ·
The parts should still be available for those recalls, you may have to wait a while but they should be available. Also Vin #'s dont leave the system in under 10 yrs he just didnt want to look any further.
I just plugged in my 01's vin into a Dodge site and I can still get information
STEVE
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
UPDATE:
According to NHTSA campaign 15V313, it appears FCA is now expanding their share of the Takata airbag recall to cover more Gen 2 Durangos.
After reading further about the issue, I am not too comfortable in believing that shards of metal will not come out during airbag deployment simply because I don't
reside in what FCA deems a "high humidity environment."

Ford, Toyota, Honda and GM are now involved also. It will be interesting to see who gets stuck with what will surely be monumental bill!!!

Don
 
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#19 ·
As I understand it Takata is getting stuck with the bill. I think most of the high humidity restrictions have now been lifted (though maybe they are prioritizing supplying parts to those areas)

Parts seem to be on back order for everyone. However my Honda dealer allowed me to actually 'order' the parts for my Civic and will call me when they get in so they can change them out. The Dodge dealer basically said 'go away till you get a notice saying there is supply'. Not a huge deal, but I definitely like the Honda approach better... assuming they follow through.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Well:
After starting this thread a little over a year ago, finally today I received my FCA recall letter titled R25/NHTSA 15V-313.
Thankfully, it now appears that the driver side airbag inflator in my D will be replaced. You may recall as mentioned earlier in this thread that I was previously told
by my local dealer that my Durango did not qualify because it had not been sold or operated in a "high heat/humidity environment."

I plan to call the dealer Monday, and I will report back when I learn if parts are available, and if not when they might be.

Don
 
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