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Chrysler recalls 685,000 cars
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October 7, 1998: 2:53 p.m. ET
Ford, GM, VW and others also issue recalls due to safety problems
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Call it "Total Recall."
In its monthly report, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said five major automakers - Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG and Isuzu Motor Co. -- have issued recalls for vehicles due to safety problems.
The largest among them is Chrysler Corp.'s recalling of more than 800,000 late-model cars and trucks.
Chrysler is recalling 685,000 vehicles that tend to roll away when left in the park position, according to the safety agency.
Vehicles affected include 1995 through 1998 models of the Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus and 1996 through 1998 models of the Plymouth Breeze and Chrysler Sebring.
The vehicles' shifting mechanism tends to break when motorists are shifting out of park, later allowing the stationary car to roll away when the parking brake is not set.
Chrysler dealers plan to inspect and test the system. Any vehicles that are not functional will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Owners will be notified in December and will be able to get their cars fixed for free.
The company is also recalling 157,000 mini-vans to fix factory-installed child seats after more than 160 parents complained their children got trapped in the seats.
The recall affects the Chrysler Town & Country from model years 1996 and 1997, Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan from model years 1996 and 1997 and the Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager from model years 1996 and 1997.
The shoulder-harness restraint on the integrated child seat can become difficult to release when the safety-belt latch plate is contaminated (with food or other sticky materials), making it difficult to remove a child from the seat.
Dealers will clean the latch mechanism and an extender will be added to the emergency release anchor to make it more visible.
Chrysler will also provide a supplemental instructional owner's manual card.
The company will notify owners of the affected models in November.
Finally, Chrysler also is recalling 8,144 1998 Dodge Ram pickup trucks because a screw can rub against a fuel line and cause a fire.
Owner notification for inspections and repairs of the trucks began in August.
No accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of any problems in the three recalls.
Owners who do not receive remedies within a reasonable time should notify at Chrysler at (800) 992-1997.
Competitors follow suit
The safety agency also reported on recalls issued by several of Chrysler's competitors.
Ford (F) is recalling 140,000 Aerostar minivans from model years 1988 to 1990 because of a fuel tank that can crack. The No. 2 U.S. automaker also is recalling 7,000 Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus sedans from 1998 and 1999 model years to fix a faulty front-seat buckle.
GM (GM), the world's largest automaker, is recalling 55,272 Chevrolet C10 and GMC C15 pickups from 1995 through 1998 model years to fix a possible fuel leak.
Germany's BMW is recalling 340,000 cars -- from its 318i model to its 850CSi -- from model years 1988 to 1995 to fix a faulty coolant system.
Volkswagen is recalling 153,000 Jetta, Golf and GTI cars from 1993 to 1995 model years to replace braking lines that can be worn down, possibly resulting in weakened braking.
Japan's Isuzu is recalling 1,945 1998 Trooper sport utility vehicles to fix some improperly installed transfer gearbox parts that can adversely affect the functioning of the vehicle's wheels. 
-- from staff and wire reports
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