- In impacted vehicles, the masking tape used left a residue that, according to Chrysler, was “incompatible with the windshield adhesive”.
- The issue affects 143 Pacificas made between December 21, 2023, and January 4, 2024, and 80 Voyagers assembled between December 26, 2023, and January 4, 2024.
- Chrysler will contact owners on May 17 and instruct them to visit a dealer, where a new windshield will be installed free of charge.
Sometimes, seemingly innocuous decisions can lead to some surprisingly dangerous problems. Such is the case for the Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager minivans, a small number of which may have windshield retention issues due to some masking tape.
Stellantis is recalling 223 of the minivans from the 2024 model year. These vehicles need to be fixed because the windshield might detach in an accident. Chrysler first became aware of the problem on January 13, and opened an investigation into the problem.
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Ultimately, the automaker determined that the masking tape used during the paint repair process in affected vehicles left a chemical residue. This was “incompatible with the windshield adhesive,” and means that the glass isn’t as well stuck to the vehicle as it needs to be.
That’s a fairly serious concern, as occupants in a vehicle that loses its windshield in a crash are at a higher risk of suffering an injury. As such, American regulations require that all vehicles retain more than 50 percent of the windshield periphery during a collision.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the problem at hand, there’s no way for the vehicle to warn the driver that it may be at risk of losing its windshield. There are also no natural warning signs, like a whistling sound (as in the case of the Porsche 911), that owners can look out for, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Drivers in possession of a Chrysler minivan can check if their vehicle is included in this recall by consulting NHTSA’s VIN check tool. In all, the issue affects 143 Pacificas made between December 21, 2023, and January 4, 2024, and 80 Voyagers assembled between December 26, 2023, and January 4, 2024.
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Chrysler plans to reach out to these vehicles’ owners on May 17, and will ask them to return their vehicle to a nearby dealer. There, their windshield will be replaced at no cost.
