Chrysler, Dodge Recall Issued for 26K Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

More than 26,000 Chrysler and Dodge vehicles are being recalled due to the possibility that the engines could catch on fire. 

The Chrysler recall (pdf) was announced on Wednesday and includes model year 2010 Chrysler 300s, Chrysler Sebrings, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Journeys, as well as 2011 Dodge Rams.

According to Chrysler, a defective power steering pressure hose can leak power steering fluid onto the engine. If the engine is hot at the time it could cause a fire. However, there have been no reported incidents or accidents associated with the design problem, according to Chrysler officials.

The issue was first discovered at the Yokohama Hydex (YH) America testing facility in South Carolina, which makes power steering and air conditioning components, according to a defect report from Chrysler (pdf) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Pressure hoses separated at the crimped end of the assembly during testing on a number of occasions.

YH America investigators eventually determined that all of the affected hoses were made of non-hypalon 3398CM, a chlorinated polyethylene material. Previous hoses and future hoses are made from Hypalon 3398, but the material had been changed due to a Dupont material manufacturing plant closing.

Changes have already been made at Chrysler production plants to make the hoses out of the older material, which does not appear to suffer the separation problems that led to the recall. The problem was first reported on October 7.

The recall affects an estimated 26,397 Chrysler-manufactured vehicles, all of which were manufactured between late June and late August of this year. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by Chrysler, and Chrysler dealers will replace the power steering pressure hoses free of charge.

This is the third Chrysler recall issued this year. In January, more than 24,000 vehicles were recalled due to the risk of sudden brake failure. In February the company recalled about 356,000 Chrysler and Dodge minivans due to airbag problems.

Chrysler owners will begin getting recall notices this month. Anyone with a vehicle affected by the Chrysler recall can contact the company at 1-800-853-1403.

Photo courtesy of alv1nW/Flickr via Creative Commons