Those hoping to buy a Chrysler 200 have plenty of options to consider. Whenever buying any vehicle, one of the steps in the selection process is to ensure you know about all applicable recalls on that vehicle. You want to know what the problems were, how they were fixed, and what to expect if they need to be taken care of.
There are few 2015 Chrysler 200 recalls, but they are important changes that need to be made for the safety and functionality of the car. You should know a few other things about this vehicle along with the recalls that apply to it.
About the 2015 Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 has been produced by the Chrysler Group since 2010 for model years 2011 through 2017. For those purchasing this mid-sized vehicle, it’s important to take a closer look at what is under the hood.
The company produced two generations of this vehicle before they stopped. All were four-door vehicles, except for the two-door convertible option in the first generation. These vehicles are desirable for the many upgrades on them.
The 2015 Chrysler 200 is a good overall option for many reasons. This car, which seats five, offered four trim options, the LX as standard, the Limited, S and C, as upgraded models.
When researching recalls on the 2015 Chrysler 200, then, be sure to look for differences in the trim package. The base model for this vehicle offered front-wheel drive with a 2.4L I4 MultiAir engine or a 2.4L I4 PZEV M engine.
This is a four-cylinder vehicle with either a gas fuel setup or a flex-fuel option. It gets 184 horsepower and 171 to 173 lb.-ft. of torque. This vehicle earns 23/36 in miles per gallon, too.
Recalls on the 2015 Chrysler 200
Recalls are important to know about, both from a purchasing and an ownership standpoint. Most vehicles have recalls over time, but they are generally repaired quickly to ensure your safety.
The Chrysler 200 for 2015 had a total of eight recalls, as of August of 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s a look at some of those recalls.
Cruise Control Problems
One of the most recent recalls on the 2015 Chrysler 200 involves the electrical system and vehicle speed control. The recall specifically focuses on the cruise control feature. This recall, as reported under NHTSA campaign number 18V332000, relates to the cruise control failing to deactivate even when a person increases or maintains speed. This can lead to an increased risk of accident and injury.
This recall impacted more than just the Chrysler 200. It impacted over 4.8 million other vehicles, including the Dodge Journey, Dodge Durango and the Chrysler Pacifica, among others.
In this recall, the manufacturer aims to address the defect that can prevent the cruise control system from operating properly. A failure to disengage when using cruise control puts drivers at risk of being involved in a car accident.
This occurs due to a circuit shorting out within the vehicle’s wiring system. When this happens, the driver is not able to shut off the cruise control. They should be able to do this by pressing on the brake or turning it off manually.
To fix this, dealerships brought in the car for inspections of the software system. They then performed a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module. This began in June of 2018.
Transmission Shifting Mistakes
In July of 2016, Chrysler issued an alert about a problem in which the transmission of the vehicle shifts to neutral unexpectedly. This can increase the risk of a car crash. This recall, reported through NHTSA campaign number 16V529000, impacted over 329,000 vehicles.
It also impacted the Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Renegade, among others. In these vehicles, the transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness. If this is the case, the transmission may shift to neutral unexpectedly.
Because of this risk, Chrysler issued the recall. Dealerships worked to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module as well as the Transmission Control Module on the vehicles as necessary. In some cases, they also had to replace the range sensor wire harness to correct the problem.
Improper Airbag Deployment
A smaller recall on the 2015 Chrysler 200 involves the airbags and seats. In this recall, NHTSA campaign number 16V114000, Chrysler reported that if both the occupant detection and classification system did not receive replacement when needed at the same time, they may not be properly calibrated.
In this case, the passenger seat airbag would not deploy properly if there was a crash. This increases the risk of serious injury. This recall impacted just 71 vehicles. It applies only to those Chrysler 200 models manufactured between April 7, 2014 and August 3, 2015.
When these vehicles were serviced, some of them had the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) or the Seat Cushion Foam (SCF) replaced on the front passenger seat. If they were not replaced together, this can lead to a failure of the airbags.
To fix this, Chrysler had dealers install a new OCM-SCF seat service kit. This ensured that they were properly serviced.
Finding Recall Information on Vehicles
These 2015 Chrysler 200 recalls are just a few of them. There are others that can impact your driving experience. If you are thinking about buying a vehicle, use the Chrysler recall tool website to help.
It allows you to enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the system. It then produces a list of all applicable recalls for that vehicle. This is an easy way to stay up to date on all recalls.
It is also important to register a just-purchased vehicle with the dealership and the manufacturer. This will allow for the fast updating of any recalls as they occur. This can provide peace of mind in knowing your car is safe to operate. Most often, these recalls are done quickly and without any cost to the owner.
Photos: Stellantis
