Adding to its Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty recall woes, Chrysler has announced four new recalls covering 560,000 cars and SUVs sold globally.

Three of the recalls are to address electronic glitches, while a fourth is related to an improperly-fastened suspension component. After a closed door meeting with the US federal government, Chrysler agreed last month to recall about 1.56 million Jeep SUVs to inspect trailer hitches that could rupture fuel tanks in the event of a wreck.

Today’s recalls are less extensive.

Covering 442,000 cars and SUVs, the first recall will rectify problems related to active head restraints designed to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries in a rear impact situation. A faulty microcontroller could prevent the active head restraints from moving in a wreck. Chrysler will replace the microcontrollers on the following affected vehicles:

– 2011-2013 Chrysler 200
– 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger
– 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro
– 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty

Next, the automaker plans to call back about 69,000 Ram 1500 4×4 pickups for a stability control system software update. Some dealers have reported a warning lamp illumination on certain four-wheel-drive Rams when the transfer case position is changed immediately before the vehicle is turned off. The new software will alter the stability control so that it won’t deactivate when the vehicles are turned off.

The recall covers the following trucks:

– 2013 Ram 1500 4×4

Another 1,060 heavy duty Ram trucks are being called back to address a track bar that was fastened improperly at the factory. The track bar is designed to keep the rear axle in place when the suspension is heavily flexed. Chrysler says it will replace a bolt  on the affected trucks, more than half of which are still on dealer lots. Covered trucks include:

– 2013 Ram 4500
– 2013 Ram 5500

Finally, Chrysler is set to recall just a handful of minivans to replace an airbag control module. Just 226 vans, most of which it says are still on dealer lots, were programmed with incorrect software. As a result, an airbag deployment issue is possible. The affected vans include:

– 2013 Chrysler Town & Country
– 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler will soon begin contacting owners of the affected vehicles, most of which are located in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Categories: