Chrysler’s parent company, Stellantis, is recalling 1.46 million vehicles worldwide because of a software malfunction in the anti-lock brake system that can increase the risk of a car accident.
According to a Reuters news report, this recall includes nearly 1.23 million Ram 1500 trucks from the 2019 and 2021-2024 model years in the United States, as well as about 159,000 vehicles in Canada, 13,000 in Mexico and 61,000 outside North America.
Details of the Auto Recall
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said a software malfunction could result in the anti-lock brake system module disabling the electronic stability control system.
This is because the vehicles don’t comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard that pertains to those systems. Stellantis said that if the problem occurs, the ABS, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning indicator lights will illuminate when the vehicle starts up.
The company said this would indicate that those critical safety systems are not working. Stellantis has also said it is not aware of any injuries, fatalities or crashes connected to this particular issue.
The automaker also announced that it is recalling about 33,000 Jeep Gladiator models from 2020-2024 and Jeep Wrangler vehicles from 2018-2024 due to a potential internal short circuit issue in the instrument panel cluster.
Federal Safety Standards and Electronic Stability Control Systems
Under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), NHTSA is primarily in charge of regulating federal safety standards for vehicles, particularly with regard to Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems. The specific standard governing ESC is FMVSS No. 126.
Critical aspects of the federal safety standards for ESC systems include:
Mandatory for new vehicles: ESC systems are required on all passenger cars, trucks, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less. This mandate applies to vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2011.
Performance requirements: FMVSS No. 126 outlines detailed performance criteria for ESC systems, including:
- The ESC system must automatically apply the brakes to individual wheels to help control the vehicle during severe steering maneuvers.
- The system must be able to reduce engine torque to help bring the vehicle back under control.
- It must function under various operating conditions, such as different speeds and during various vehicle maneuvers.
- Yaw stability control: ESC systems must help the driver maintain control by preventing the vehicle from rotating (yawing) too much or too little during cornering, swerving, or evasive maneuvers.
Warning indicators: Vehicles equipped with ESC must have a warning light to inform the driver if the system malfunctions. The light should illuminate on the dashboard if there is an issue.
Testing procedures: FMVSS No. 126 defines a series of tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the ESC system, including a “sine with dwell” test to measure the vehicle’s response to rapid steering inputs and other tests to assess the system’s ability to reduce the risk of skidding or rollovers.
These standards aim to reduce the risk of crashes, especially in conditions where the vehicle may lose traction or stability, such as on slippery roads or during emergency maneuvers.
How Do ESC Systems Prevent Rollover Crashes?
ESC systems help prevent rollover crashes by actively managing the vehicle’s stability in critical situations. Rollovers often occur when a vehicle—especially high-center-of-gravity vehicles like SUVs—loses traction or stability during sharp turns, swerving, or when the driver overcorrects after veering off course.
ESC works by continuously monitoring the vehicle’s speed, steering angle, and lateral acceleration through a network of sensors. It detects when the vehicle is at risk of losing control, especially if it starts to slide sideways or its wheels lift off the ground, which is a precursor to a rollover.
When the system senses instability, ESC automatically intervenes by applying the brakes to individual wheels and, if necessary, reducing engine power.
By selectively braking specific wheels, ESC helps steer the vehicle back on its intended path, minimizing skidding or oversteering. This correction reduces the lateral forces that can tip a vehicle over during sharp or evasive maneuvers.
ESC effectively reduces the likelihood of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle grounded and minimizing dangerous overcorrection or sideways sliding.
The system’s ability to intervene quickly and precisely helps drivers maintain control, especially in emergency situations or on slick roadways.
Rollover Crashes Can Result in Major Injuries or Fatalities
Rollover crashes are particularly dangerous due to their potential for severe injury and damage. When a vehicle rolls over, occupants can be ejected from the vehicle or collide with the interior, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
The likelihood of ejection is higher in rollovers than in other crashes, especially if occupants are not wearing seat belts.
The primary dangers in a rollover include:
Ejection: Occupants can be thrown from the vehicle, leading to severe injuries or death. This risk is significantly reduced when seat belts are used.
Crush Injuries: The vehicle’s roof may collapse during a rollover, causing crush injuries to occupants. Modern vehicles are designed with reinforced roofs, but they may not always prevent injury in severe rollovers.
Internal injuries: The violent motion of a rollover can cause internal injuries as occupants are tossed around inside the vehicle.
Delayed rescue: Rollovers can trap occupants inside the vehicle, delaying rescue and medical attention.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries Caused by Vehicle Defects
You may be entitled to seek compensation if you’ve been injured in a car accident due to vehicle defects.
Vehicle defects can range from faulty brakes, defective airbags, malfunctioning seat belts and problems with vehicle software to structural issues like roof collapse in a rollover. Such defects can exacerbate the severity of injuries or even cause an accident outright.
To seek compensation, you generally need to pursue a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or another entity in the supply chain. There are three primary types of auto product liability claims:
Design defects: This occurs when the overall design of the vehicle or part is inherently flawed, making it unsafe.
Manufacturing defects: Even if the design is safe, errors during the manufacturing process can lead to defects that cause accidents or injuries.
Failure to warn: Manufacturers must provide adequate warnings and instructions for their products. If a manufacturer fails to warn about potential risks or doesn’t recall defective vehicles, they can be held liable.
To successfully claim compensation, plaintiffs must prove that the defect directly caused the accident and the resulting injuries. This often requires expert testimony, vehicle inspections, and documentation.
Compensation typically covers medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
An experienced California auto defect attorney can help gather evidence, identify responsible parties, and navigate the legal process.
Additionally, many product liability claims are subject to strict liability, meaning you don’t have to prove negligence, only that the defect caused the injury.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/stellantis-recall-about-12-million-vehicles-us-regulators-say-2024-09-07/
