2014 Dodge Avenger air bags problems

“The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that a year later when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed with occupant restraint control failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was completed by the previous owner in November 2022. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,056.”

“Passenger headrest airbag deployed without collision when vehicle was parked while occupants were not in vehicle. Increased in safety hazard as airbag deployed prematurely.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing the vehicle out of a parking space, the driver’s side air bag was independently deployed without incident. The contact stated that a grayish-colored smoke was coming from underneath the steering wheel after the deployment. The contact initially called her insurance provider who referred her to a local dealer; the dealer then referred her to the manufacturer and a claim was filed. The vehicle was taken to Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep (3101 Cattle Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93313) where an inspector was sent from the manufacturer to investigate the failure. The contact then received an email from the manufacturer that stated that her claim was denied and that the failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.”

“The active head restrains (AHR) deployed without vehicle being involved in collision. This could have caused injury and even death if anyone was operating the vehicle while it deployed. No warning lamps are active, but the system is clearly deployed.”