Chrysler is recalling 744,822 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles in the U.S. for a fault with the airbag system that can cause the airbags to deploy unexpectedly while driving.
The recall affects Grand Cherokees from the 2002 through 2004 model years and Libertys from model years 2002 and 2003, according to documents posted Friday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
A failure of that module could cause the front airbags, side curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the SUVs are being operated, greatly increasing the risk of of a collision.
An agency investigation started last year found that the air bags went off 215 times, causing 81 minor injuries. However, the North American carmaker says that no accidents have been causes as a result of this issue.
Owners will be contacted by Chrysler in January 2013. Dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge to the consumer.
