Chrysler Vehicles Recalled for Loose Driveshaft Bolts

Losing power when you are driving down the road can be frightening. According to a report on CNET.com, this can happen to nearly 70,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles that the automaker is now recalling. Fiat Chrysler is recalling 69,298 model year 2014 to 2017 Dodge Chargers and model year 2014 to 2017 Chrysler 300 vehicles that can lose power to the front wheels. According to a notice posted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles may experience loose propshaft bolts, which could result in the driveshaft becoming disconnected. The driveshaft is the part that sends power to the wheels.

If this happens, the part may contact the road surface or detach from the car. Either event could result in damage to the power train and underbody of the vehicle leading to loss of power. In some cases, the automaker says, vehicle owners may notice excessive noise and vibration before the driveshaft failure. Fiat Chrysler is expected to notify affected owners in March and dealers will replace font propshaft bolts on the vehicles at no cost to consumers.

Record Number of Vehicle Recalls

According to Virginia-based Carfax, a commercial Web-based service that provides consumers with vehicle history reports, more than 63 million recalled vehicles are currently on our roadways, unrepaired. This is a 34 percent increase in the past year. This is a serious safety issue, which has been brought about by one major recall involving defective Takata airbag inflators which could rupture and seriously injury or even kill vehicle occupants by shooting out metal shards. Carfax has said that these high numbers are also due to “recall fatigue” where consumers get sick and tired of hearing about unsafe vehicles and take no action to get their vehicles fixed.

If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled

If you are unsure of whether your vehicle has been recalled, visit the safercar.gov website and enter your vehicle identification number or VIN. If you find out that your vehicle has in fact been recalled, it is important that you schedule an appointment with the dealer right away to have it inspected and make the repairs.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. Contact an experienced auto defect attorney who will fight for your rights and hold the negligent automaker accountable.