Recall Alerts: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (244)

The first covers about 525,000 Jeep Commanders from the 2006 and 2007 model years, and Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 2005 and 2006 model years, according to a report published Wednesday on the agency’s website.

The agency says it has received at least 32 complaints from the Jeep owners say that the driver’s knee hit the ignition key.

“This causes the engine to shut off, affects power steering and brakes and may potentially result in the vehicle’s air bags not deploying during a frontal crash,” the report said.

Some of those complaints were filed with the safety agency at least six years ago.

“This has happened four times now,” wrote one owner in a complaint filed in June 2008. “I was driving my one-year-old son to the babysitter’s house. My knee bumped the key as I was approaching a turn, shutting off the vehicle/power steering. So, I kept going straight and nearly crashes. Luckily I slammed the brakes and stopped just in time.”

The second action covers about 700,000 Grand Caravan, Town and Country minivans and the Journey sport utility vehicles from the 2008 to 2010 model years, according to a report by the agency also posted Wednesday.

This investigation relates to a 2011 Chrysler recall of about 248,000 2010 Grand Caravans, Town and Country minivans and Journeys for an ignition-key problem that could also result in the engine’s being inadvertently turned off. That action also included about 12,000 Volkswagen Routan models from 2010 that were built by Chrysler.

But the safety regulators say they have received 23 complaints about ignition-key problems from owners of 2008 — 10 versions of those models that were not recalled and a few who said they have the recall fix and the problem occurred again. So, it is investigating whether the automaker should be required to expand the recall.

Chrysler could not immediately be reached for comment.

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In late June, Chrysler said it would recall nearly 696,000 minivans and SUVs worldwide under government pressure because ignition keys could rotate out of the "on" position, potentially causing stalling and the air bag not to deploy in a front-end crash. Chrysler said it was expand a 2011 recall — that also covered some Routan vehicles — to cover the 2009 Dodge Journey and 2008-09 Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country "for inadvertent ignition key rotation from the run position to the accessory position."

VW has now recalled about 31,000 vehicles since 2011 for the issue.

Chrysler said it was fixing the vehicles by installing a more robust ignition module detent ring.

Chrysler said it had about 30 customer complaints and 465 warranty claims alleging inadvertent engine shut-off while driving — and reports of two rear-end collisions arising from the condition. There are no reports of deaths or injuries from air bags failing to deploy in crashes linked to the defect.

Chrysler disclosed that on June 17, NHTSA asked the automaker in a phone call to recall the 2008-09 vehicles. But the automaker is standing by its recall remedy — adding a detent ring to the switch to make it stiffer, instead of replacing the entire part — even though NHTSA has concerns it may not work.

Chrysler has now recalled about 1.7 million vehicles for ignition switch problems since 2011. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still is investigating whether Chrysler's fix is adequate in most of the recalled vehicles. In July, Chrysler also said was recalling nearly 800,000 older Jeep SUVs for ignition switch problems, and is urging owners to only use the ignition key as the automaker works to find a fix.

The company said the recall covers some 2006-07 Jeep Commander and 2005-07 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs, and said its engineers are seeking a remedy. "Chrysler is committing now to conduct a recall out of an abundance of caution," the company said.

Chrysler advised owners to make sure there is enough clearance between their knees and the keys so that the key doesn't get bumped and accidentally turn off the engine. As a further precaution, owners are advised to remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key.

The problem is similar to the issue that has rocked cross-town rival General Motors Co. after it failed to promptly recall 2.6 million cars linked to at least 13 deaths when air bags failed to deploy after vehicles stalled. GM has recalled about 15 million other vehicles for other ignition problems this year.

In an interview in July, acting NHTSA Administrator David Friedman said the agency is looking more broadly at the issue of whether other automakers have ignition issues: "This whole GM Cobalt recall brought to light a whole set of new information about interactions between ignition switches and air bags. We quickly jumped on that new information ... We're still in that process."

The Commander and Grand Cherokee have a different ignition switch — an instrument panel mounted switch — compared to column ignition switches in the minivans.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. Volkswagens number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.

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