Closely related to the Ram 1500, the body-on-frame Wagoneer and the plusher Grand Wagoneer have been recalled over inaccessible or damaged seat belt buckles. More specifically, third-row seat belt buckles supplied by Auburn Hills-based Autoliv North American Inc.
As per documents filed by FCA US LLC with the federal watchdog, Chrysler became aware of this problem nearly a year ago. The Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization was notified of scratched or damaged buckles in October 2022. The subsequent investigation continued through January 2023, determining that said buckles were damaged by Chrysler’s own workers on the assembly line.
TSRC reviewed this issue with the Interior Engineering, Restraints Engineering, and Manufacturing departments to understand the potential consequences. Not surprising in the least, Chrysler determined that inaccessible or damaged seat belt buckles increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. What’s more, said conditions go against federal motor vehicle safety standards 208 and 209.
Dealers nationwide will be informed no later than December 15 to inspect and – if necessary – replace third-row buckles at no cost whatsoever to affected owners. December 15 is also when owners of the 2022 through 2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will be informed via first-class mail.
The recall population comprises 97,066 vehicles, of which 1 percent are believed to require new third-row seat belt buckles. The affected population was produced in the period between February 24, 2021 and September 11, 2023 at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan.
Photo: Jeep
Currently employing a little over 4,000 souls, Warren also produces the Ram 1500 Classic, a half-ton pickup that costs a fair bit less than the DT-generation Ram 1500. Priced at $31,735 sans destination charge, the Classic is a whopping $6,835 more affordable than the DT 1500.
Speaking of which, the DT is due to receive a refresh for 2025. As part of this update, Chrysler will discontinue the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 from the engine lineup in favor of the 3.0-liter Hurricane I6. Similar to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, chances are the 2025 Ram 1500 will receive the Hurricane twin-turbo sixer in two states of tune: standard and high output.
It should be mentioned that the Wagoneer lost the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 for 2024 as well, but the 6.4 soldiers on in the Grand Wagoneer. Turning our attention back to the straight-six engine, Chrysler’s all-new Hurricane develops 420 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute and 468 pound-feet (635 Nm) of torque at 3,500 revolutions per minute. Level up to the high-output version, and you’re looking at the kind of numbers that would make a BMW M3 Competition xDrive blush in awe.
Be that as it may, the 3.0-liter engine isn’t exactly frugal in this application. The body-on-frame SUV is rated at 17 miles per gallon (13.8 liters per 100 kilometers) in the Grand Wagoneer 4WD, whereas the 6.4-liter HEMI promises 15 (15.7) on the EPA’s combined test cycle.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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