214,000 Chrysler vehicles under recalls

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. automaker Chrysler Group LLC is recalling more than 214,000 vehicles for a variety of problems, the largest affecting 119,497 vehicles.

From largest to smallest, the automaker is recalling more than 119,000 model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured from April 11, 2011, through Dec. 14, 2011, due to improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side airbag wiring harness.

This could cause the airbags to malfunction and light up the airbag warning light, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Chrysler is also recalling 61,409 model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles made between March 21, 2006 and March 1, 2008 and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles made between Feb. 15, 2007 and March 1, 2008 due to a problem with a transfer case heat shield that could drop on the drive shaft, which could set up a chain reaction. The drive shaft could break and fall on the transfer case tunnel with enough force to deploy the air bags, the NHTSA said.

In addition, 20,532 model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles made from Oct. 18, 2011 through May 7, 2012 are under recall due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube that could interfere with gasoline flow causing the engines to stall.

Chrysler's is recalling 6,574 model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles made between Dec. 17, 2012 and Jan. 22, 2013 due to a parking brake cable equalizer that was set wrong and could allow the brake to fail if the vehicle is parked on a 20 percent grade.

Another 6,143 vehicles model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 2500 trucks made from Jan. 7, 2013 through March 6, 2013 are under recall due to a engine cover that could trap "an excessive amount of heat," that could affect the engine's cooling capacities, the NHTSA said.

Finally, Chrysler is recalling 46 model year 2013 Dodge Darts manufactured on Nov. 27, 2012 that have rear brake calipers that are incorrect and could make the car's parking brake inoperable.

Consumers can call 800-247-9753. for information.