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NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V041
Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Components AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected 230,290

Unintended Side Curtain Air Bag Deployment

If the air bags deploy unexpectedly during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of personal injury and increase the risk of a crash.

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 1, 2013, to November 19, 2014.

The affected vehicles may experience unintended side curtain and seat air bag deployment during vehicle operation.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the occupant restraint control module software, free of charge.

The recall began on March 4, 2015.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler’s number for this recall is R05.

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 www.safercar.gov.

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

February 2015

Dealer Service Instructions for:

Safety Recall R05 / NHTSA 15V-041 Reprogram Occupant Restraint Control Module

Models

2014 – 2015

(KL)

Jeep Cherokee

NOTE: This recall applies only to the above vehicles built through November 19, 2014 (MDH 111903).

IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.

Subject

The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) Module software on about 167,200 of the above vehicles may cause a side curtain airbag and seat airbag unwanted deployment. These vehicles can achieve vehicle angles during off-road driving events which may exceed the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module rollover calibration thresholds. An unwanted airbag deployment could cause a crash under certain driving conditions.

Repair

The ORC module must be reprogrammed with new software.

Parts Information

No parts are required to perform this service procedure.

Parts Return

No parts return required for this campaign.

Special Tools

The following special tools are required to perform this repair:

NPN	wiTECH VCI Pod Kit
NPN	Laptop Computer
NPN	wiTECH Software

Service Procedure

NOTE: The wiTECH scan tool must be used to perform this recall. This procedure must be performed with software release level 15.02 or higher. If the reprogramming flash for the ORC is aborted or interrupted, repeat the procedure.

Open the hood. Install a battery charger and verify that the charging rate provides 13.2 to 13.5 volts. Do not allow the charger to time out during the flash process. Set the battery charger timer (if so equipped) to continuous charge.

NOTE: Use an accurate stand-alone voltmeter. The battery charger voltmeter may not be sufficiently accurate. Voltages outside of the specified range will cause an unsuccessful flash. If voltage reading is too high, apply an electrical load by activating the park or headlamps and/or HVAC blower motor to lower the voltage.

Connect the micro pod II to the vehicle data link connector.

Place the ignition in the “RUN” position.

Open the wiTECH Diagnostic application.

Starting at the “Select Tool” screen, highlight the row/tool for the wiPOD device you are using. Then select “Next” at bottom right side of the screen.

Enter your “User id” and “Password”, then select “Finish” at the bottom of the screen.

From the “Vehicle View” screen, click on the “ORC” icon.

From the “ORC View” screen, compare the “Current ORC Flash Number” with the “New Part Number” listed on the “sort table”. If the “Current ORC Flash Number” is the same as the “New Part Number” continue to Step 14. If the part numbers are not the same, continue to Step 9.

With the cursor over the desired flash file, click the small green arrow button on the right side of the screen.

From the “ORC Flash” screen follow the wiTECH screen instructions to complete the flash.

Once the flash is complete click the “OK” button on the “ORC Flash” screen.

Select the “Clear Stored DTC’s”

From the “ORC View” screen, compare the “Current ORC Flash Number” with the “New Part Number” listed on the “sort table”. If the “Current ORC Flash Number” is the same as the “New Part Number” the flash is complete. If the part numbers are not the same, repeat Steps 7 through 12.

Turn the ignition to the “OFF” position and remove the wiTECH micro pod II and battery charger from the vehicle.

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the DealerCONNECT Claim Entry Screen located on the Service tab. Claims submitted will be used by Chrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.

Use one of the following labor operation numbers and time allowances:

	Labor Operation Number	Time Allowance
ORC module update previously performed	18-R0-51-81	0.2 hours
Reprogram ORC module	18-R0-51-82	0.2 hours

Add the cost of the recall parts package plus applicable dealer allowance to your claim.

NOTE: See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section, for complete recall claim processing instructions.

Dealer Notification

To view this notification on DealerCONNECT, select “Global Recall System” on the Service tab, then click on the description of this notification.

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to FCA are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers. A generic copy of the owner letter is attached.

Enclosed with each owner letter is an Owner Notification postcard to allow owners to update our records if applicable.

Dealers are encouraged to consider alternative scheduling and servicing approaches for this recall. This repair does not require hoists or other full service facility special equipment and is a Chrysler Mobile Service approved repair.

Vehicle Lists, Global Recall System, VIP and Dealer Follow Up

All involved vehicles have been entered into the DealerCONNECT Global Recall System (GRS) and Vehicle Information Plus (VIP) for dealer inquiry as needed.

GRS provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete vehicles. The owner’s name, address and phone number are listed if known. Completed vehicles are removed from GRS within several days of repair claim submission.

To use this system, click on the “Service” tab and then click on “Global Recall System.” Your dealer’s VIN list for each recall displayed can be sorted by: those vehicles that were unsold at recall launch, those with a phone number, city, zip code, or VIN sequence.

Dealers must perform this repair on all unsold vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also use the VIN list to follow up with all owners to schedule appointments for this repair.

Recall VIN lists may contain confidential, restricted owner name and address information that was obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of various states. Use of this information is permitted for this recall only and is strictly prohibited from all other use.

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Service and Parts District Manager.

Customer Services / Field Operations

FCA US LLC

REPROGRAM OCCUPANT
RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

_________________

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
R05 / NHTSA 15V-041

This notice applies to your vehicle (VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx).

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Dear: (Name)

FCA has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2014 and 2015 model year Jeep_® Cherokee vehicles.

*The problem is…*	The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) Module software on your vehicle may cause a side curtain airbag and seat airbag inadvertent deployment. These vehicles can achieve vehicle angles during off-road driving events which may exceed the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module rollover calibration thresholds. An inadvertent airbag deployment could increase the risk of a crash.
*What your dealer will do…*	FCA will repair your vehicle free of charge. To do this, your dealer will reprogram the ORC module with new software. The work will take about ½ hour to complete. However, additional time may be necessary depending on service schedules.
*What you must do to ensure your safety…*	Simply contact your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM dealer right away to schedule a service appointment. Please bring this letter with you to your dealer.
*If you need help…*	If you have questions or concerns which your dealer is unable to resolve, please contact the FCA Group Recall Assistance Center at either recalls.mopar.com or 1-800-853-1403.

Please help us update our records by filling out the attached prepaid postcard if any of the conditions listed on the card apply to you or your vehicle. If you have further questions go to recalls.mopar.com.

If you have already experienced this specific condition and have paid to have it repaired, please send your original receipts and/or other adequate proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement: FCA Customer Assistance, P.O. Box 21-8007, Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8007, Attention: Reimbursement. Once we receive and verify the required documents, reimbursement will be sent to you within 60 days.

If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable time, you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, DC 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience, but we are sincerely concerned about your safety. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Customer Services / Field Operations

FCA US LLC

Note to lessors receiving this recall: Federal regulation requires that you forward this recall notice to the lessee within 10 days.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2015/RCRIT-15V041-5530.pdf