NHTSA Complaint #11711822 — 2014 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

2014 Chrysler Town & Country – VIN [XXX] Both front active head restraints (driver and passenger) have self-deployed without any crash or impact, on two separate occasions about 3–4 years apart. The first occurred around 2019. Each time we were driving normally with occupants seated. We heard a sudden “pop” and the head restraint opened, exposing the internal mechanism. No one was struck or injured, but the unexpected deployment was distracting and occurred close to an occupant. After each event, the head restraint could not be reset or closed and remains deployed. The vehicle now has an airbag/SRS warning light that stays on, suggesting the restraint system may not function properly in a crash. There were no warning lights or symptoms before deployment. The deployed head restraints are still installed and available for inspection. A Chrysler dealer previously acknowledged the issue and ordered a replacement head restraint, but the repair was not completed due to relocation during the COVID period. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)