Recall 13V283 covers 224,264 2013 Town And Country, Grand Caravan, and C/V Tradesman vehicles for wrong-side airbag deployment. Free repair at Chrysler dealers.
Chrysler is recalling 224,264 2013 Town And Country, Grand Caravan, and C/V Tradesman vehicles under recall 13V283 because an airbag software error can deploy the side airbags opposite the crash impact. In a side crash, the defect leaves the occupant without airbag protection at the impact point, increasing injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The side airbag system is designed to protect occupants during a side-impact crash. Sensors identify the side of the vehicle that was hit, then the airbag control software tells the correct side airbags to deploy between the occupant and the point of impact. On affected 2013 Town And Country, Grand Caravan, and C/V Tradesman vehicles, that software decision is the part at issue.
The problem is a software error in the electrical system that reverses the side airbag command. A left-side impact triggers the right-side airbags, and a right-side impact triggers the left-side airbags. That means the airbags deploy on the side away from the collision instead of the side where occupants need protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle does not give the driver a clear symptom that the airbag software is wired to respond on the wrong side during a crash.
Who's affected?
The scope spans the Town And Country, Grand Caravan, and C/V Tradesman, with air bag and electrical-system components listed for each one.
| 2013 Chrysler Town And Country | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Chrysler Town And Country | electrical system |
| 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan | air bag system |
| 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan | electrical system |
| 2013 Ram C/V Tradesman | air bag system |
| 2013 Ram C/V Tradesman | electrical system |
| Units affected | 224,264 |
A matching 2013 model and van nameplate does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the wrong side airbags can deploy, leaving the occupant without airbag protection at the impact point and increasing the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign before a crash exposes the problem. If your VIN is included, contact the dealer about the occupant restraint control module update. Repair will be free at any franchised Chrysler dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013 Chrysler Town And Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, or Ram C/V Tradesman is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chrysler dealer to confirm repair availability for your VIN.
- Ask for the free occupant-restraint-control-module software flash; the update corrects the air bag command error that sends deployment to the wrong side.
- Bring the recall notice if you have one, and reference recall number 13V283 when you call.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, since the wrong side air bags can leave the impact side without air bag protection in a crash.
What happens at the repair
The repair path is a dealer software flash for the occupant restraint control module. If your VIN is included and the campaign is open for your vehicle, a Chrysler technician updates the module software so the side airbag deployment logic matches the side of impact described in recall 13V283. Chrysler lists this repair as free of charge, with parts and labor covered under the recall once the dealer remedy is available for your vehicle.
Timeline
| July 2, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 11, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V283?
Recall 13V283 covers 224,264 2013 Chrysler Town And Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram C/V Tradesman vehicles with occupant restraint control module software that can deploy the opposite-side air bags in a side-impact crash. Chrysler dealers will flash the module for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Chrysler Town And Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, or Ram C/V Tradesman is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V283. If it is, call a franchised Chrysler dealer and ask for the occupant restraint control module flash. Reference recall number 13V283 when you schedule the appointment. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Chrysler says dealers will flash the occupant restraint control module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Chrysler dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V283?
In a side-impact crash, the wrong side air bags can deploy. That leaves the occupant without air bag protection at the point of impact, increasing injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free module flash with a Chrysler dealer.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a Chrysler notice, check your VIN, then call a franchised Chrysler dealer with recall number 13V283 to schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V283000 |
|---|---|
| Chrysler customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V283 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V283000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →