Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town and Country and 2014-2015 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles due to a possible faulty windshield installation in the factory. The windshields on the affected vehicles may have been installed using expired urethane primer, which could allow them to become displaced in the event of the crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, ‘Windshield Mounting,’” writes the NHTSA in its report about the recall.
The affected vehicles were manufactured between August 16, 2014, and December 5, 2015. The company estimates that 184 vehicles are potentially affected by the recall. Chrysler reported the issued to NHTSA on January 26. The vehicles in question were assembled at the company’s Windsor, Ontario, plant.
The company began to investigate the issue on November 9, 2015, when two subject vehicles were tested for urethane cohesive bond using the “quick-knife” method. According to Chrysler’s notification to NHTSA, the first unit had 75 percent failure and the second unit had 16 percent failure.
“On November 11, 2015, a final report was made by SIKA which included lab test results showing that combining current production urethane with Eftec primer which expired in July 2015 passed at 100 percent,” writes Chrysler. “However, combining current production urethane with Eftec primer which expired in January 2015 failed at 100 percent.”
SIKA nor Eftec had responded to a request for comment at press time.
According to NHTSA, Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshields, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on March 4, 2016.
Offering some advice to technicians, Joe Renzi, Dinol’s business manager, says “You don’t use expired materials. You don’t use expired primers. Always check shelf life and expiration date and be cognizant of open times.”
Dinol sells aftermarket Eftec for AGRR companies.
This article originally appeared on Glass Bytes.
