Fiat Chrysler issues two recalls covering 1.34M vehicles

July 14 (UPI) -- Italian-American auto company Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1.34 million vehicles worldwide over two potential problems: one that could cause the driver's side airbag to deploy and another that presents a fire hazard.

The company said it made the recalls voluntarily.

The first recall includes 770,853 Dodge Journey crossovers and Fiat Freemont crossovers, model years ranging from 2011 to 2015, sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Wiring that can rub against steering wheel trim may cause a potential short-circuit and trigger deployment of the driver's side airbag. In some cases, the airbag deployed without warning. In others, a dashboard airbag light came on or the windshield wipers began to malfunction prior to the airbag going off.

The company said the defect has been linked to five injuries, but no crashes.

In a second, unrelated recall, Fiat Chrysler said 565,647 vehicles sold outside North America are being recalled to fix premature diode wear in the alternators. The problem presents a potential fire hazard.

That recall includes Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans, Dodge Challenger coupes, Dodge Durango SUVs from 2011 to 2014 model years and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs from 2012 to 2014.

The company said it has heard of two crashes that may be tied to the malfunction, though neither resulted in any injuries.