WASHINGTON — The federal government says 5,509 2008 Dodge Chargers and Magnums, along with some 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles, are being recalled for a problem that was first spotted in March on a 2009 Dodge Challenger pilot vehicle undergoing prelaunch evaluation at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds. The torque retention crimp feature "was missed" during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts on the affected cars.
"This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the half-shaft to disengage from the wheel hub," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its recall summary of the problem. "This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning."
Chrysler says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem. Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts on the affected vehicles. The recall is expected to begin sometime this month.
In documents filed with the federal government, it turns out that the problem was first discovered on a 2009 Dodge Challenger pilot vehicle, which "experienced ABS lamp illumination diagnosed as a wheel speed sensor fault.... When the vehicle's rear wheels were removed, the right side axle hub nut fell off, and the left side hub nut was determined to be backed off approximately 3mm at the half-shaft," says NHTSA's defect information recall document.
The affected vehicles were built between December 19, 2007, and March 12, 2008, at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. NHTSA points out that the "suspect axle hub nuts" were used for production on the 2009 Dodge Challenger pilot vehicles, but the Challenger is not part of the recall. "All potentially affected 2009 model-year pilot vehicles were also inspected and repaired as needed," says NHTSA.
What this means to you: If you own one of the affected vehicles, have it checked out by your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
"This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the half-shaft to disengage from the wheel hub," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its recall summary of the problem. "This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning."
Chrysler says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem. Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts on the affected vehicles. The recall is expected to begin sometime this month.
In documents filed with the federal government, it turns out that the problem was first discovered on a 2009 Dodge Challenger pilot vehicle, which "experienced ABS lamp illumination diagnosed as a wheel speed sensor fault.... When the vehicle's rear wheels were removed, the right side axle hub nut fell off, and the left side hub nut was determined to be backed off approximately 3mm at the half-shaft," says NHTSA's defect information recall document.
The affected vehicles were built between December 19, 2007, and March 12, 2008, at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. NHTSA points out that the "suspect axle hub nuts" were used for production on the 2009 Dodge Challenger pilot vehicles, but the Challenger is not part of the recall. "All potentially affected 2009 model-year pilot vehicles were also inspected and repaired as needed," says NHTSA.
What this means to you: If you own one of the affected vehicles, have it checked out by your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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