The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) recently announced two recalls that affect owners of Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid vehicles. Some of these vehicles were previously recalled and repaired but are being recalled again because the previous fix was ineffective.
Although owners may drive the vehicles, the NHTSA advised them not to charge them and to park “away from structures” until they are repaired. According to the manufacturer, seven fires have been reported with these vehicles, with four customers suffering personal injuries related to smoke inhalation. It is unclear whether the injuries resulted in permanent impairments.
If you or a loved one were injured by a Chrysler Pacifica battery fire, contact our Virginia Beach defective products attorneys. Car maker FCA US (d.b.a. Stellantis North America—historically known as Chrysler) has been aware of these battery issues for years and yet has failed to provide an adequate remedy.
Stellantis Discovers Seven More Fires After Recall “Fix”
The first recall affects nearly 16,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles made in 2017 and 2018. The company previously recalled these vehicles in February 2022 because of fire risk.
FCA US opened an investigation in August 2021 after becoming aware of a possible trend in vehicle fires. At the time, there were no injuries or accidents related to the fires, but FCA US (doing business as Stellantis) did note that the fires could occur even when the engine was turned off.
The company eventually offered a software update that was supposed to monitor the battery for any conditions that may lead to a fire. Dealerships also inspected the vehicles under recall and replaced bad battery packs when necessary.
That didn’t fix the problem, however. According to Stellantis, a company review “of warranty data discovered seven fires” among the vehicles that were recalled before and are now being recalled again. Some of these occurred when the vehicles were turned off, and some while recharging. Four of the customers reported suffering symptoms consistent with smoke inhalation.
Stellantis says its investigation is ongoing, but in the meantime, has determined these seven events “were linked to a rare abnormality in individual cells in the model’s high-voltage battery pack.”
The company added that there is less risk when the battery charge level is depleted, so owners “are advised to refrain from charging” and to park the vehicles away from structures or other vehicles until the second repair is completed.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Recall May Affect Owners in Virginia Beach
The second recall is similar to the first and includes 3,606 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid vehicles from the 2019-2021 model years. The issue is the same—the battery pack may cause a fire, even while the vehicle is parked, and the ignition is in the “off” position. The two recalls together affect about 19,516 plug-in hybrid minivans in the U.S.
Stellantis engineers are working on a computer update that will, in theory, detect the battery abnormality. If the abnormality shows up, dealers will replace the battery free of charge. Battery Technology reports that an improved manufacturing process eliminates these battery issues in newer models of the vehicle.
The NHTSA reports that FCA US will notify owners by mail starting September 6, 2024. Owners may also contact the company at 1-800-853-1403.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicle may be affected by this or other recalls, use the online VIN search at Mopar or the NHTSA. Insert your VIN into the correct field to discover any repairs your vehicle may need.
You Have Legal Options When It Comes to Electric Vehicle Fires
FCA US isn’t the only car maker dealing with potential battery fires.
According to a CBS News report, General Motors and LG recently established a $150 million fund to compensate Chevrolet Bolt owners after a vehicle battery pack caused fires in some electric cars. Bolt owners had previously filed a class-action lawsuit against GM for allegedly selling vehicles with defective batteries. The fund is part of a settlement between the parties.
Virginia Beach defective products attorneys can help. We work to make manufacturers like FCA US meet their obligations to consumers, as we did for this client who received $750,000 from the company that created the defective product that injured him.
We serve clients in the Virginia Beach area, as well as in Hampton, Chesapeake, and the Outer Banks (OBX), North Carolina.
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Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
