Chrysler is adding 792,300 old-model Jeep SUVs to the controversial ignition switch recall that forced GM to add millions of cars this year.
Chrysler, the third largest American automobile company, is expanding the ignition switch recall with thousands of older-model Jeep SUVs in the US, Canada and other parts of the world. The recall, which was announced Tuesday, includes 792,300 Jeep SUVs for a similar issue that put General Motors under close watch of the authorities and resulted in a lawsuit. Chrysler is voluntarily calling back its old model Jeeps to prevent a GM-like situation.
According to Chrysler, the ignition switch in the affected Jeeps can be bumped by the driver's knee and cause the engine to shot off. This stalls and cuts the power breaks, power steering and even the air bags, exposing the driver to maximum injuries in case of a crash. The company said it was aware of one accident related to the faulty switch, but no injuries.
The affected models in the recall include Jeep Commander model-year 2006-2007 and Jeep Grand Cherokee manufactured between 2005 and 2007, according to the company's press release, Tuesday. Of the total 792,300 recalled vehicles, Chrysler said, 649,900 are in the US, 28,800 in Canada, 12,800 in Mexico and 100,800 outside North America.
Earlier this month, Chrysler added nearly 700,000 minivans and SUVs to fix faulty ignition switches. The affected vehicles in the previous recall were 2008 and 2009 models of Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravans as well as some 2009 Dodge Journey SUVs. The car maker also issued a recall of 895,000 of its SUV models, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durangos due to faulty wiring in the vanity mirrors that posed a fire risk.
The latest recall is a result of two investigations that were opened by the US safety regulators last month to thoroughly probe the growing concerns with ignition switches and air bag problems across the automobile industry.
The car maker said it will contact the owners of the affected vehicles by mid-September. As a precaution, Chrysler advises drivers to maintain a safe distance between their knees and the keys and also use a single key without other keys or keychain. A similar advice was given to GM drivers when the car maker issued recalls earlier this year.
