Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued a recall for over 1.2 million vehicles worldwide.
The Auburn Hills-based automaker has recalled the vehicles, 188,200 of which were sold in Canada, due to a faulty airbag cover on the steering wheel.
The vehicles involved are model-year 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro SUVs, and model-year 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. Over 95,000 of them were sold in the U.S., over 24,000 in Mexico and the rest in markets outside North America.
An investigation by Fiat-Chrysler uncovered certain clips that may, over time, loosen and come undone. If this were to happen, and the driver's side airbag is engaged, the clips that are meant to secure may end up becoming projectiles.
The clips are no longer used on vehicles. FCA is aware of at least 14 incidents in which injuries occurred, none of which involved people sitting in the front passenger seat or the rear seats.
Owners of the affected vehicles will receive a recall notice in the mail starting in August and should follow the instructions to have the defect repaired. In the meantime, drivers are urged not to tamper with the emblem in the centre of the steering wheel.
Complete information about the recall can be found on FCA's official corporate website.
