Recalls are announced by Toyota, Chrysler

Excessive corrosion in Jeep Liberty cited

3/8/2012

DETROIT -- Chrysler and Toyota announced recalls Wednesday that affect about 900,000 vehicles.

Chrysler is recalling nearly 210,000 Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicles because of potential problems resulting from excessive corrosion that could lead to a loss of control by the driver.

Chrysler, which is controlled by Fiat, is recalling the estimated 209,724 Jeep SUVs from model years 2004 and 2005. Some may be equipped with rear lower-control arms that can fracture because of corrosion caused by road salt used in certain states -- including Ohio and Michigan -- according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Toledo North Assembly Plant is the only U.S. facility to build the Jeep Liberty.

Chrysler is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue, the traffic safety administration said.

The recall is expected to begin by the end of April and the rear lower-control arms on all affected vehicles will be replaced, according to the traffic safety administration.

Toyota is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles for various problems.

The recalls include about 495,000 Tacoma trucks made during the 2005 through 2009 model years that need to have their steering wheel spiral cable assemblies replaced, Toyota said.

The Japanese automaker said that friction may occur in some vehicles between the assembly's spiral cable and the retainer, and over time, cut the connection to the driver's airbag.

That could cause an airbag warning light to remain lit after the vehicle is started, or it could prevent the airbag from deploying during a crash, Toyota said.

In addition, the automaker is recalling about 70,500 Camry sedans made during the 2009 model year and about 116,000 Venza crossovers made during the 2009 through 2011 model years, to replace stop-lamp switches.

The automaker said that during installation of the switch on one of the North American assembly lines, silicon grease may have reached the inside of the switch and caused an increase in electrical resistance.

That could cause warning lights to illuminate, keep the vehicle from starting, or prevent it from shifting out of "park," Toyota said.

In both recalls, Toyota said it's in the process of obtaining the replacement parts it needs. Once it does, it will notify the affected owners and replace the parts for free.

Toyota said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by these two problems.