- Chrysler is recalling 667 2012 vehicles, including the 2012 Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200 to replace the 3.6-liter V6 engine, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Chrysler has also issued a stop-sale order on the recalled vehicles.
- Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure on the recalled vehicles.
WASHINGTON — Chrysler is recalling 667 2012 vehicles, including the 2012 Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200 to replace the 3.6-liter V6 engine, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Chrysler has also issued a stop-sale order on the recalled vehicles. Other vehicles involved in this recall include the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey with the 3.6-liter V6 engine.
"These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure, which may increase the risk of a crash."
Chrysler said it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this defect.
The defective engines were built between August 25 and September 5. Chrysler launched an internal investigation to evaluate the 3.6-liter V6 engines from its Saltillo South Engine Plant in Mexico because of "suspect quality audit results," according to company documentation filed with the federal government.
The automaker said that its investigation "determined the root cause to be block cleanliness leading to hard debris damaging the connecting rod, main bearings and crankshaft."
Chrysler dealers will replace the engine. The recall is expected to begin in October. Owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Chrysler vehicles, have it checked out ASAP with your dealer.
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kgw707 says:
06:54 PM, 10/11/2011
What an American car company....yup...had my new car selection down to two choices....2012 Charger SXT V6 was one of the two.....keep shipping all those jobs to Mexico, boys....save all that money down there....and lose all those sales up here......just eliminated this choice for me.....
tbone85 says:
07:17 AM, 10/04/2011
Perfect example:
"The entire engine? And you guys were complaining at minor European-Japanese car maker recalls.
Good job America!"
So, you'd feel better if the engines weren't replaced due to sludge or that somehow a blown turbo does no damage to an engine that won't be replaced. You can call a blown transmission minor, but I somehow think most people who've paid for replacement would disagree.
Good job Hater!
tbone85 says:
07:13 AM, 10/04/2011
"You are very foolish not to see the reality and to think that you can be like the German auto unions. The market for those high-priced luxury cars is limited. The higher the price the fewer buyers to jockey for."
And you are very foolish not to see that the point was the hypocritical double standard applied American workers versus foreigners. I never suggested that we copy the German model, I pointed out that people often make stereotypical statements about American workers and companies. Far too often their point of reference doesn't exist, and they are merely mouthing talking points for their tribe.
tbone85 says:
07:09 AM, 10/04/2011
"First of all, what do German workers/unions have to do with the problems that American car companies have with UAW?"
Simply pointing out the double standard. People here have called American workers lazy, but they work much longer hours than the uber-hyped German craftsman.
"Second, can you show me any stories, let alone multiple repeat stories of German union workers shotgunning beers and smoking pot on their lunch breaks before they go back to build your car?"
Do you honestly believe that unless something is reported in the press it doesn't happen? Are you aware of ANY industry or business that doesn't have some people working for it that use drugs or alcohol improperly? Some of the people who perform heart surgery abuse substances. Your belief that every other factory worker around the world would NEVER abuse substances while putting together your holy car is beyond absurd. Talk about a whiff.
"Third, are German unions benefitting during a crisis by having the government screw over bondholders who had priority on assets and shares?"
Oh, so it isn't faaaair. You could only be made happy if the workers take the entire hit like they always do when companies downsize. I'm sure you're happier about the BOA bondholders keeping their shirt while BOA takes down 30k employees. Where's your river of tears for those folks. Grow up.
"Fourth, are unions in Germany linked with massive donations to their favorite politicians, a long standing history of corruption, and intimidation and violence during strikes?"
Yes unions in Germany are massively involved politics and donations. Companies in Germany also contribute to politicians. BOTH unions and companies have long standing histories of corruption, intimidation, and violence during strikes in this country. So your point is....
"And finally, return to question one, which asks what does it matter even if they are? We're talking about the UAW screws up stuff here in the US and wondering if the Mexican workers are behaving the same way."
What matters is that you've just admitted that hypocrisy doesn't matter. There have been massive screw ups in union and non-union car manufacturing plants here and around the world. If you weren't drinking the tribalist kool-aid while reading right here at Edmunds you would know that every manufacturer has been plagued by recalls and errors. It's not just the automobile industry; I'm sure that people in your industry and even you screw up sometimes. I'm guessing you're much more selective about taking anecdotes and news stories as some kind of fodder to feed your propaganda machine when the shoe is on your foot.
jimmytheg says:
12:01 PM, 10/03/2011
Why only 667 engines? There are 8 working days between Aug 25 and Sep 5 (inclusive). So this plant only cranks out 84 engines a day? That doesn't sound right. Why only those engines? Was it a particular line, employee, what? Sabotage? Disgruntled caballero? Que paso'?
I was waiting for the 2012 Wrangler with the 3.6L. Maybe I'll wait a little longer. Xterra looking real good right now.
firstwagon says:
06:01 PM, 10/02/2011
Poor quality workers and production engineers.
By this quote... "The automaker said that its investigation "determined the root cause to be block cleanliness leading to hard debris damaging the connecting rod, main bearings and crankshaft."
It's a production quality problem, not an engineering problem. Since they are replacing the engines there is no issue however.
I would still buy one.
northsparrow says:
02:45 PM, 10/02/2011
"There is no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
It is truly staggering that anyone can blame the UAW for problems with Mexican built engines.
As regards the much praised Pentastar V6 and the suddenly fashionable vehicles to which it is bolted,
let's just see in the long run if they live up to all the hype.
carlos2174 says:
12:18 PM, 10/02/2011
The entire engine? And you guys were complaining at minor European-Japanese car maker recalls.
Good job America!
tdiluv says:
07:30 AM, 10/02/2011
Strange that this week I saw car carriers twice on the highway picking up a Sebring and another day a Dodge van. It reminded me of when we owned a Lebaron many years ago and had 3 roadside breakdowns. Some things never change !
mk40 says:
06:18 AM, 10/02/2011
You also know that the German brands of BMW and Benz have auto plants here in the US in right to work states where they build many cars and employ many people at less than German union wages and benefits? Do you think they would be here if the labor was the same price? Surely the exchange rate cannot account for everything.