1,200 units of Jeep Compass recalled over faulty airbags

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has decided to recall 1,200 units of the sports utility vehicle Jeep Compass which was sold in India in order to replace faulty airbags.

The company issued a statement saying that a supplier has advised FCA that during the assembly process of its airbag module, loose fasteners could have inadvertently found their way into a small number of modules. Less than one percent of the Jeep Compass SUVs are expected to be affected from the total recall population. 

The company is unaware of any accidents, warranty, injuries or claims and complaints in this regard. However, the customers whose vehicles are in the affected range have been advised to refrain the using the front passenger seat until the resolution of the situation. The company mentioned that FCA India will replace the passenger airbag on an estimated 1,200 Jeep Compass SUVs in order to eliminate the concern. The authorized dealers will directly contact customers whose Jeep Compass SUVs require a replacement of front passenger air bag and will confirm appointments at the authorized workshops.

The manufacturer will ensure that the customers do not have to pay for resolving the problem. Jeep Compass was launched in July by Fiat Chrysler and the vehicle, despite being on the higher end of the price chart has generated a strong response from customers. It was a product which could revive the ailing business of the company in the country.

Before the launch of the vehicle, there were bookings for 10,000 units which is much higher than the volumes of some of the existing offerings of the company in India. Once the delivery began in August, the company has sold 7561 units of the vehicle in the market. The volume stood at 2455 units in October.

Fiat Chrysler assembles the Jeep compass in the Ranhangaon plant of the company. Jeep Compass has managed to infuse some life in the domestic operations of the company and could start an extra shift at its manufacturing capacity in order to keep up with the demand. Honda, the Japanese car maker had to recall vehicles from across the world last year due to faulty airbags which were supplied by Takata.