WASHINGTON — Chrysler is recalling 312,442 minivans, including the 2005-'06 Chrysler Town & Country, 2005-'06 Dodge Caravan and 2005-'06 Dodge Grand Caravan, to fix a crash sensor, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash."
Chrysler dealers will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design for free. The "safety improvement campaign" will begin in June. Owners can contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Chrysler minivans, be aware that this fix is on tap. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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nobias says:
01:51 PM, 03/15/2010
Its Okay...All automakers have their own recalls anywhere from 1-1,000,000.
Toyota was just careless, inconsiderate, and illegally burying evidence. They are no better then ENRON IMO. I used to love Toyota's image with the Supra, Celica, And Lexus. But will not commit any of my hard earned money to Toyota to endanger my family's well being just because toyota wants to make a crap load of money by killing people. Anyone standing up for Toyota is brainwashed or defending their buying decision (which looks like a very bad one).
The Only crap (ok Absolute Crap) That Chrysler is guilty of building is any car with the 2.7 Litre in it. After owning an Intrepid for a year it was clear engine sludge could not be prevented. Other than that it was a good car for a while. BTW I would be happy to own any chrysler product as long as it didnt have the 2.7.
And just to show no BIAS
Owned...
2005 Grand Caravan SXT
1997 grand Caravan Sport
2002 Chrysler PT cruiser
2003 Pontiac Montana
2001 Dodge Intrepid
1987 Chevy Cavalier z-24
1998 Dodge Neon R/T
1996 Nissan Altima GXE
1997 Plymouth Neon Sport
1990 Civic DX
1999 Civic DX
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse
1998 Ford F-150
1988 Chevy S-10
1997 Chevy Cavalier
1991 Pontiac Grand Prix SE
1992 Nissan Sentra SER
1989 Honda Accord
1998 Ford Taurus SE
1998 Nissan Altima GXE
1971 Plymouth Fury
1998 Dodge Ram Van
several other's not listed/
Never Owned A Toyota But drove several camry's, and a 90's supra and loved the supra.
debbaranko says:
02:36 PM, 02/27/2010
Well speddle, go ahead and put your family in a recalled Toyota. I guess care for my family members more than you, and don't want them to end up being one of the "statistics" of a Toyota death mobile. But, by all means, place your loving ones in a Toyota and forget everything you hear on TV, newspapers, and trade journals. You're smarter. I actually went through hell with a Lexus and Toyotas famous engine sludge cover up years a go. My son bought a new Tundra and by 2k miles, had craked camshafts, warping rotors, and out of balance drive shaft due to cheap under engineered universal joints. So, do I know about Toyota quality? You bet I do. Toyota SUCKS and I hope they lose whats left of their customers.
carguru12 says:
10:13 AM, 02/27/2010
I rented one of these in Wichita, KS, a Chrysker Town & Country Touring (LWB). It had everything but leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, navigational stereo, and chrome wheels, oh, and a sunroof. I'm surprised Chrysler didn't know about this five years ago!
dfaber says:
10:54 AM, 02/26/2010
While I'll agree that Toyota has not handled this sudden acceleration issue properly, I will not "commend" Chrysler for the handling of the airbag issue.
I have owned several vehicles in the 20+ years I have been driving and I can honestly say that the two Chrysler products I have bought new have been the two worst cars I have ever had the displeasure of owning.
I had a '92 Dodge Shadow that blew a shift linkage at 7500 miles and literally rattled itself apart by the time I traded it in. I now own a '06 Dodge Caravan with 45000 miles and I have replaced a door handle, two tie rods, a water pump and had an electrical problem with the tail and brake lights. Plus now it has this airbag issue. It is simply a bad, poor quality vehicle.
Before anyone blasts me as "Anti-American", just know that I have also owned a '92, '96, and '01 Chevy Cavalier, a '99 GMC Sonoma Pickup, and a '84 Ford Escort and would not hesitate to buy a Ford or Chevy again.
I also bought a '82 Honda Accord with 100K miles in 1992 for $500 and a '72 VW Beetle in 1988 for $350 and I was more satisfied with those purchases then I am with the two Dodges I bought new.
I am 0-2 with Chrysler and do not plan on being 0-3.
speddle says:
12:57 AM, 02/26/2010
LOL @ debbaranko.
Way to be loyal to American workers, but.. Chryslers suck. I'd drive a Toyota any day. They're not death traps, you just put it in Neutral if by a one-in-a-million chance the accelerator gets stuck. No offence, but Chrysler went bankrupt because they sold under-performing vehicles. Toyota, regardless of these recalls, still has some of the best quality products on the road, whether you like it or not. If the whole idea of Japanese vehicles scare you, at least buy a Ford, or wait for some Fiat-based Chrysler products, for your own good.
debbaranko says:
10:30 PM, 02/25/2010
I would buy a Chrysler over a death trap Toyota any day of the week. Three hundred and fifty five thousand recalls compared to OVER EIGHT MILLION RECALLS for TOYOTA? And Chrysler came right out with it. They didnt try and hide it. They didnt cover it up. They didn't save 100 million on it like and brag about it like Toyota did. They didn't have a favorable sweetheart deal with Washington. They didn't hire ex NHTSA officials to swing the vote. They don't have Toyotas lobyist buying politicians in congress. And they don't go around Japan saying they are a Japanese company. I would not let a family member in a Toyota brand vehicle. I would buy another chrysler any day of the week and not think twice about it. I never had the problems with any Chrysler brand. Toyotas that I owned had sludged engines, broken camshfts, and of course, faulty electronics that kill.
calspecial68 says:
09:34 PM, 02/25/2010
Of course they are routine. While Chrysler Corp's products have less than stellar reliability, at least they admit it and take care of the problem when it comes up. Toyota on the other hand, has apparently tried to hide it's not so reliable reliability. Good that Chrysler's trying to keep their customers from dying from an airbag failure, while Toyota tries to hide the fact that their cars might spontaneously and rapidly accerlate into a ravine or a tree.
tbone85 says:
03:52 PM, 02/25/2010
Of course you like it, because you are clearly either a Toyota fanboy, or based on some of your comments merely anti-American. Chrysler is responsible for their product. Not the Japenese workers. Not the government. Not the media. Why don't you try applying that same standard to all car companies?
Just because a company has a very strong track record doesn't excuse them from being held accountable when they screw up. Making up a bunch of excuses just screws over consumers and damages a company's reputation. I'm sure Toyota stock holders are glad Mr. Toyoda was wise enough to avoid such a foolish strategy.
atenza94546 says:
01:25 PM, 02/25/2010
Ha ha ha joejoe20 I like that !!!
Here is the offer to everyone additional incentive if you trade in your Toyota for the above mention.
joejoe20 says:
11:13 AM, 02/25/2010
Its ok.. recalls for Chrysler are routine.