Fiat Chrysler Recalls 58,000 Older Vehicles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said on April 23 it is issuing two recalls covering 60,000 vehicles for ignition and airbag issues.

The company said it will recall about 58,000 older cars and SUVs equipped with manual transmissions to replace clutch ignition interlock switches. The company said the wire in the switches was recalled in a previous campaign.

The recall covers 43,874 2006 Jeep Liberty and Wrangler SUVs and Dodge Viper cars in the United States, along with 2,944 in Canada, 706 in Mexico, and 11,309 elsewhere.

"The wire, which was temporarily substituted by a supplier for the specified material, may break. As a result, the vehicles may not start, and in rare cases — if recommended starting procedures are not followed — a vehicle may exhibit unintended movement when its ignition key is turned," the company said. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Fiat Chrysler didn’t say when they will launch the recall, but said until then drivers are advised to follow recommended procedures for starting their vehicles. These procedures include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the vehicle’s ignition key.

Separately, Fiat Chrysler is recalling about 4,000 vans in North America to remove a section of tape from their side-curtain air bags. The recall covers 2015 Ram ProMaster City cargo and passenger vans, including 2,400 in the United States.

During a test to evaluate component function, engineers discovered the tape, which helps accommodate air-bag installation during vehicle assembly, may prevent the devices from deploying fully. Fiat Chrysler is unaware of any crashes or injuries. Dealers will remove the tape.

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