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November 10, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V871000
An inoperable defrosting and defogging system can reduce visibility for drivers in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V871
Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Components VISIBILITY
Potential Number of Units Affected 22
Summary
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with incompatible heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC), resulting in the windshield defrosting and defogging system being inoperable to drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems.”
Remedy
FCA US, LLC will repurchase the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 22, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is Y88.
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.nhtsa.gov..
Subject
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and radio combination on about 22 of the above vehicles may be incompatible and not allow occupants to activate the defrost function. There is no warning to the driver that the defrost function is unavailable. However, the driver may notice that the defrost system is not functioning by the lack of air flow from the defrost vents and the reduced visibility due to the windshield not defrosting/defogging. The inability of the driver to activate the defrosting and defogging system can result in reduced visibility in some conditions, which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
The condition described above does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 571.103 S4.1 requires that “Each vehicle shall have a windshield defrosting and defogging system.” Suspect vehicles do not have a windshield defrosting and defogging system that is operable by the driver.
Repair
FCA US will repurchase the affected vehicles based on the fair market value of the vehicle based on its mileage and condition (less any modifications) using publicly available third-party valuation tools. The dealer or FCA US Customer Care will make arrangements with the vehicle owner for a final appraisal of vehicle value.