USA - Chrysler issues recall notice on a number of its products.

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 5,663 cars and trucks to inspect their automatic transmissions.

Output shafts installed in some model-year 2013 vehicles were shaped using a two-stage forging method employed during early production. The resulting components may be subject to fracture in rare circumstances.

The process has been replaced by a single-stage forging method.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated injuries or accidents.

The recall is limited to certain Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Ram 1500 models equipped with a specific set of features and equipment: 4x4 or all-wheel drive, an 8-speed transmission and a V-6 engine. Chrysler Group will inspect and test their transmission output shafts and, if necessary, replace their transmission assemblies at no cost to customers.

Affected customers number approximately 4,194 in the U.S., 1,424 in Canada and 45 outside the NAFTA region. They will be notified when to schedule service appointments with their dealers.

Customers who have concerns may call 1-800-853-1403.

LATEST NEWS - Volkswagen issues recall on 1.68 million vehicles worldwide.

Volkswagen recalls Tiguan for fuse exchange

• Some of the vehicle lights could fail on the Tiguan

• Gearbox oil change with vehicles with DQ200 gearboxes

Within the framework of the continuous monitoring of vehicles in the field, Quality Assurance at Volkswagen AG has found that, in isolated cases, a fuse may trip in the Tiguan, thus resulting in failure of one of the two vehicle light circuits. This in turn causes individual light functions to fail. However, the vehicle's electric circuitry ensures that some lights remain on all around the vehicle. The driver is immediately informed of this on the instrument cluster. Replacing the fuse with one with a tougher surface coating only takes a few minutes. Approximately 800,000 vehicles, which includes 147.000 vehicles in the German market, built between the beginning of 2008 and the middle of 2011, are affected by this global campaign. The relevant vehicle owners will be informed by Volkswagen accordingly.

Within the framework of further quality monitoring in China and Southeast Asia, it has been discovered that, with vehicles with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DQ200), electric malfunctions could occur in the gearbox power supply if synthetic gearbox oil is used. This applies in particular if the vehicle is subject to a hot and humid climate, coupled with a high proportion of stop & go driving.

Studies have established that using of mineral oil will rectify this problem. To continue to ensure customer satisfaction amongst DSG, Volkswagen has decided to launch global voluntary campaign and to request all customers with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DQ200) filled with synthetic oil to visit a workshop for an oil exchange. The vehicle owners will be informed by Volkswagen accordingly.

BMW to recall over 175,000 vehicles worldwide in latest round of issues effecting many car makers.

BMW Group is recalling about 176,000 of its four-cylinder, gasoline-powered core-brand vehicles from the 2012-2014 model years because of potential problems with the power brakes, the company said.

The vehicles, because of insufficient lubrication to a vacuum pump, can lose the power assistance in braking. The driver can still stop the car in the event of a loss of power braking, but it will take more force on the brake pedal, a BMW U.S. spokesman said.

Models involved in the recall all have turbocharged four-cylinder, 2.0-liter gasoline engines.

The recall covers the 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive and 328i xDrive sedans, as well as the 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagon; 2012 and 2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans; 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles; and 2012-2014 X4 sDrive28i roadsters.

BMW said 76,191 of the vehicles are in the United States, about 25,000 in China, 9,376 in Canada, 6,841 in Germany, 2,738 in Mexico and the rest in other countries.

(US) Chrysler recall #2 - Ram trucks require cluster upgrade

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 10,800 trucks – most of which are in dealer hands – to upgrade software that controls instrument-cluster illumination.

In-plant quality-control personnel discovered instrument-cluster backlighting may function intermittently on certain vehicles. Regulatory compliance requires that information displays be clearly legible.

Vehicle performance is unaffected and Chrysler Group is unaware of any accidents, injuries or complaints.

Chrysler Group engineers investigated and discovered the digital memory in some instrument clusters may not activate as intended.

Affected are Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups equipped with mid-line instrument clusters. Chrysler Group will update the cluster software at no charge to customers.

Chrysler Group will notify affected customers by mail next month.

Customers who are concerned may call 1-800-853-1403.

(US) Chrysler recall #1 - Software upgrade on 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 132,000 SUVs to upgrade software that controls instrument-cluster lighting and active chassis systems.

Chrysler Group quality-control personnel observed reports of random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout. Both events occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle’s ignition off and then on. However, regulatory compliance requires that clusters display complete information that is clearly legible.

Engineers discovered an issue in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that affects the instrument cluster display. The issue also has implications for the vehicle’s ABS and electronic stability control systems, but Chrysler Group is unaware of any reported problems involving either.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries.

Chrysler Group will update instrument-cluster and ABS module software on certain 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Most (91,559) are in the U.S.; 6,050 are in Canada; 2,662 are in Mexico; and 32,212 are outside the NAFTA region.

The upgrade will be performed at no cost to customers. Those affected will be notified by mail next month.

Customers who are concerned may call 1-800-853-1403.