PAC20170728 - Rear Pinion Brackets May Crack

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V482
Manufacturer Vantage Mobility International, LLC
Components POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected 589

Rear Pinion Brackets may Crack

A wheel wobble may cause a possible loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Summary

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI.

The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.

Remedy

VMI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pinion brackets, free of charge.

The recall began on August 14, 2017.

Owners may contact VMI customer service at 1-800-488-9082.

VMI’s number for this recall is PAC20170728.

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

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

TO: All VMI Dealers

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) has determined that a safety defect exists in all model year 2017 VMI Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Accordingly, a recall to address this issue was initiated effective 8/4/2017. Recall number: NHTSA: 17V0482 | Transport Canada: 2017-381

The defect involves all Pacifica minivans shipped prior to August 7, 2017. The rear wheel pinion brackets on the above mentioned vehicles were tested and proved to fail prematurely. Failure exhibits itself initially by developing a crack on the top and/or bottom flanges. Cracking will continue over time until separation occurs. This is deemed as complete failure. Complete failure will exhibit itself by the rear wheel sitting noticeably rearward in the wheel well, and handling will be severely adversely affected. Vehicles may not exhibit any signs of the bracket(s) cracking until complete failure occurs.

The remedy is to remove the original pinion brackets and replace them with newly designed pinion brackets (part numbers WA5322 and WA5323). After the brackets are replaced, vehicle alignment must be performed.

Owners will be notified by mail about the recall and will be instructed to contact their local VMI mobility dealer for an appointment to have this remedied. There is no cost to owners for this recall.

Instructions for performing this recall will be made available on the VMI website on the Tech Portal (hyperlink to portal is included in the email). Parts availability will begin August 14, 2017 and will be shipped at no charge upon request. VMI will credit the dealer 2.8 hours of labor per affected vehicle to perform this repair. VMI will also reimburse the dealer through a warranty credit for the alignment upon presentation of receipt. Please call VMI Technical Support at 800 488-9082 for affected VINs, complete reimbursement instructions, and requirements or questions you have concerning this recall.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease any 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivans covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on affected vehicles. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

Your assistance with this recall is appreciated. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact VMI Technical Support at 800 488-9082.

8/7/2017
Consumer Safety Recall Notice
RE: NHTSA Defect Recall Notification 17V0482
& Transport Canada recall number 2017-381

Dear VMI Chrysler Pacifica Owner,

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Vantage Mobility International (VMI) has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in its Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor minivans.

~ I M P O R T A N T ~

Your Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor minivan is being recalled.
Contact your local VMI dealer immediately.

What Is Being Recalled

All Chrysler Pacifica minivans modified by VMI, shipped between September 1, 2016 and August 7, 2017, are recalled by VMI. Your mobility dealer will have access to the complete list of affected vehicles identified by Chrysler’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a 17-digit identifier that includes both numbers and letters. It can be found on the OEM sticker, located inside the driver’s side door jamb or on the driver’s side dash board, visible from the exterior facing the windshield.

The affected population is 518 vehicles.

Why Is It Being Recalled

The left and right side rear axle pinion brackets on all affected vehicles have been found to be inadequate. It was determined that the brackets may fatigue, crack and separate. If a bracket separates, you may experience loss of control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. The severity could include injury or death and/or damage to property.

What VMI Will Do

VMI has already notified its mobility dealers and provided them access to proper repair procedures, as well as all required parts. The dealer will correct the recall by replacing the suspect pinion brackets with newly designed brackets that have been tested and approved. The remedy includes a 4-wheel alignment. After the alignment, it will be test driven and returned back to the customer. Any additional materials required and all labor costs will be covered by VMI. The estimated time to complete this repair on your vehicle will be approximately 4 hours.

After an attempt to take advantage of this recall, you may submit a complaint if you believe your pinion brackets recall was not remedied without charge and/or within a reasonable amount of time.

Please contact:

Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Mail: 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C., 20590

Call: Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1- 888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) Visit: https://www.safercar.gov

If you have already paid to comply with this notice, we encourage you to seek reimbursement by calling (800) 488-9082, and following the instructions given.

What You As Owner/Dealer/Operator Should Do

Immediately call your local VMI dealer to schedule your vehicle for the pinion bracket replacement. Inform them at the time of the call that you are calling in response to this recall letter. If you have difficulty doing this, please contact VMI directly at (800) 488-9082 for assistance.

What If You No Longer Own The Vehicle?

Please call VMI at the number listed below and forward the new owner’s contact information for proper and timely notification.

If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days to comply with federal regulations.

If you have already paid to have your VMI Chrysler Pacifica repaired for this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the charges you paid for the repair. To learn more about what you need to do to obtain reimbursement, please call VMI Technical Support at (800) 488-9082.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions concerning these procedures, please contact VMI Technical Support at (800) 488-9082 or by email at alltechsupport@vantagemobility.com.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this safety recall, but the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance.

Sincerely,

David Hagstrom

Technical Support and Warranty Manager

Vantage Mobility International

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V482-1825.pdf