Both the Chrysler Group LLC and Volkswagen have announced that they will be recalling thousands of vehicles in separate actions to address potential hazards found in certain models, according to various published reports.
Among the 367,350 vehicles Chrysler has recalled, repairs to the vehicles’ airbags, which may deploy unexpectedly, are looking to be repaired. Popular models like the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge’s Grand Caravan minivans from the 2008 line are included in the recall. Improperly assembled drains in the air-conditioning system are to blame for the problem as they may leak water and cause the passenger airbag to deploy for no reason and harm passengers, Chrysler told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Spokesman for the automaker Vince Muniga claimed that the company had been aware since February 2008 of 30 complaints of air bags deploying inadvertently causing five injuries.
The recall will began in February, and dealers will repair vehicles and replace the faulty drains free of charge, according to Chrysler.
For VW, the automaker plans on recalling over 413,000 cars in the United States and Canada. Of the total amount, 377,000 cars are being recalled in the U.S. and the rest from Canada, said VW. The problem effects some of its most popular models including the 2007-2009 Golf, Jetta, Jetta Sportswagen and Rabbit, as well as the 2006-2010 New Beetle.
The issue among all of the vehicles except the Beetle is a small plastic tab in the windshield wiper’s fluid reservoir that could rub against a fuel supply line under the hood. If a fuel leak were to develop, the result could be the vehicle catching fire. However, VW spokesman Kerry Christopher stated there have been no reports of fires, crashes or injuries.
For the New Beetles under recall VW looks to address issues with a fastening clamp on the hydraulic hose of the power steering system. The clamp may be located in the wrong place and rub against a fuel supply line under the hood, which could also potentially lead to a fuel leak and fire.
VW plans on to start its recall on or before Jan. 31.