Chrysler Recalls More Than 600 Jeep Liberty Vehicles Due to Possible Urethane Issue

Chrysler is recalling 644 2008 Jeep Liberty vehicles because they may have been assembled using an incorrect urethane, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigations. The vehicles in question were assembled at the company's Toledo North Assembly Plant in June.

"We [received] a bad batch of urethane adhesive," says Max Gates, spokesperson for Chrysler. "It didn't have the UV stabilizer in it, so it could break down."

According to Gates, someone in the plant noticed the container of adhesive didn't have the right label on it during production of the vehicles-after some of them had left the plant.

"They caught [the problem] within three days, so it was probably noticed pretty quickly," says Gates.

Dealers will replace the windshield and/or fixed rear quarter glass for customers. Gates says he doesn't see an issue with a separate glass shop replacing the glass, with the exception of the reimbursement issue for consumers-as Chrysler has only guaranteed the glass will be replaced free of charge by certified Jeep dealer.

Gates could not reveal what company supplied the adhesive.

2010 SRT8 JEEP GC

2008-09 Dodge Challenger Recalled over Accidental Rollaway Concern

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Dodge Challenger is being recalled over concerns about accidental rollaway with the "keyless go" function. (Photo courtesy of Chrysler LLC)

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The recall affects Challengers with automatic transmission and the "keyless go" function and is scheduled to start this week. (Photo courtesy of Chrysler LLC)

Date posted: 09-19-2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chrysler is recalling 6,636 2008-09 Dodge Challengers equipped with automatic transmissions and the "keyless go" option because they may fail to meet a federal safety standard for theft prevention which could result in accidental rollaway.

"If the stop/start button is pressed and held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its recalls summary of the problem. "Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than 'park,' and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in 'park' as a direct result of key removal, it was determined that a noncompliance may exist.

"This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles."

Chrysler dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module so the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the "park" position. The recall is scheduled to begin this week. Owners can contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 for more information.

ChryslerAcceptsAward

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob
Nardelli accepted the 2008 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award today at the
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The
Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to
employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National
Guard and Reserve. A total of 15 companies in multiple categories were
recognized.

"I am truly honored to accept this Freedom Award on behalf of the men and
women of Chrysler," said Nardelli. "Because the Freedom Award is based upon
employee nominations, this award demonstrates the pride our employees have in
working for Chrysler, knowing that our company provides military-friendly
benefits and policies while on active duty."

Members of the National Guard and Reserve or their families can nominate
employers for their support of military service. More than 2,000 nominations
were received by the Department of Defense from across the country for 2008. A
national selection board comprised of senior Defense officials and business
leaders selected the recipients for this year's award.

Chrysler employee Theresa Jones, a Powertrain Instrumentation Technician
in the company's Engine Development Laboratory and Petty Officer Second Class
in the Naval Reserve, was one of four employees who submitted Chrysler as a
candidate for the Freedom Award. Jones delivered remarks introducing the
company to those in attendance at the black-tie event.

"I'm honored to be employed by a company like Chrysler because they truly
support their military employees not just in words, but in actions," said
Jones. "Their generosity allowed me to remain financially secure and maintain
my current lifestyle, which had a huge impact on my morale in sometimes
difficult circumstances."

Honoring Those Who Serve

Chrysler has a long tradition of support for the U.S. military that
stretches back to the creation of the Jeep(R) vehicle prior to WWII and
continues today. As a part of its participation in Military Appreciation Month
in May 2008, Chrysler announced its military support initiative, "Honoring
Those Who Serve," to recognize those men and women who serve in our armed
forces. The initiative consists of three components: Employment,
Transportation and Community.

Employment: Chrysler is partnering with the Departments of Defense and
Labor and Veterans Affairs to bring current and former members of the military
together with the Company, its dealers and suppliers to find suitable career
opportunities as they transition to civilian life. The company created a Web
site for those looking for career opportunities at
www.ChryslerHonoringThoseWhoServe.com.

Transportation: The Company continues to offer military-only discounts,
benefits and warranties on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products. Currently, the
company offers a free three-year maintenance agreement and employee pricing
specifically for members of the military who purchase a Chrysler, Jeep or
Dodge vehicle.

Community: Chrysler joined America Supports You (ASY), a Department of
Defense program that connects nonprofit support groups with military people
and their families. The Company is currently working with two ASY home-front
groups -- The Freedom Calls Foundation and Operation Gratitude. Along with
Operation Gratitude, Chrysler recently presented an all-new Jeep Liberty with
a custom-painted mural to Cpl. Michael Gallagher, at Fort Lewis, Wash., on
July 1, 2008. Gallagher originally received the vehicle keys in one of the
300,000 Operation Gratitude care packages that were delivered in December 2007
while on duty in Iraq.

This Day in Auto History: 9.19.1888 Albert Vidal Alexandre Boudarel, a sculptor and designer of animal mascots for automobiles, is born in Paris, France 9.19.1898 Harry Joseph Seaman, founder of Seaman Motors and developer of improved roadbuilding techniques, is born in Berlin, WI 9.19.1916 Mr. and Mrs. Willaim Warwick and daughter Daisy arrive in New York City in a GMC truck loaded with Carnation Milk products after a 70-day trip from Seattle, WA to promote the National Parks Highway 9.19.1932 Ab Jenkins completes a 24-hour solo run at the Bonneville Salt Flats, UT in a stock Pierce-Arrow V-12 roadster, covering 2,710 miles for an average speed of 112.94 mph - this was the first 24-hour run done at Bonneville 9.19.1948 The 1949 Kaisers are introduced

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

Chrysler offers select employee pricing for September

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
12:03 pm U.S. ET | Sept. 18
Updated: less than 1 minute ago

Chrysler LLC introduced an employee pricing program today that could shore up soft September sales. Starting today, military personnel, returning lease customers and employees of companies that supply Chrysler can buy a Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep for $200 above the price a Chrysler employee would pay.

This Day in Auto History: 9.18.1893 John Lyon Collyer of the B. F. Goodrich Company is born in Chelsea-on-Hudson, NY 9.18.1915 The Narragnasett Park Asphalt Speedway in Providence, RI stages its first races - the 100-mile main event is won by Eddie Rickenbacker in a Maxwell 9.18.1939 Diesel engine authority Dr. Ing. Adolph Nagel dies at age 63 9.18.1953 Racer Charles de Tornaco is killed at age 26 when his Ferrari crashes during a practice run in Modena, Italy 9.18.1964 The last episode of the television program Route 66 airs

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick