At least two accidents are alleged because of a defective Mexican-built part.
Auto industry recalls just keep coming. In the latest instance Chrysler is recalling more than 250,000 2010 model Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country vehicles because their engines can shut down unexpectedly.
In documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler said that “some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving, causing the engine to shut off.”
A Mexican-built part from Continental apparently is the cause of the engine shut down defect, according to Chrysler. Chrysler said there are hundreds of warranty claims and at least two rear end accidents alleged to have been cause by the safety defect. The Chrysler safety recall is expected to begin during April 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 about recall number LO2.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. NHTSA number 11V139.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
