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2013-14 Dodge Viper recalled over faulty door handles

The 2013-14 Dodge Viper is getting a voluntary recall affecting 1,762 cars worldwide to replace their door-handle assemblies. Of the affected vehicles, FCA US reports there are 1,451 in the US, 160 in Canada, 17 in Mexico and 59 of them outside of NAFTA. After receiving three reports of doors either not closing or opening while driving a low speeds, FCA US engineers found a new sealant from a supplier didn't provide sufficient moisture protection to the electronic switches for the door latches. If the parts get wet, this can potentially cause a short circuit. The automaker is quite clear that are no reports of accidents of injuries from this problem. As always, the recall repairs will be done at no cost to owners, and FCA US will be getting in touch with customers soon about the problem. Related Video: Statement: Door-handle Assemblies April 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 1,762 cars globally to replace their door-handle assemblies. FCA US launched an investigation after the Company received three warranty claims linked to doors that failed to close or opened inadvertently while vehicles were moving at low speed. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Engineers determined a sealant, newly adopted by a supplier, provided inconsistent moisture protection to the electronic switches that control the door latches. Switches exposed to moisture may short-circuit. Affected are approximately 1,451 model-year 2013-14 Dodge Viper SRT cars in the U.S.; 160 in Canada; 17 in Mexico and 59 outside the NAFTA region. Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed at no cost. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.

Dodge Journey recalled for freezing fluid lines

The Basics: FCA is recalling 10,944 examples of the 2009-16 Dodge Journey - specifically those equipped with the optional engine block heaters and located in extremely cold climates. The Problem: Power steering fluid lines may leak when starting the engine in extremely cold weather, which would increase the amount of effort required to steer the vehicle. Injuries/Deaths: FCA reports that it is "unaware of any related injuries or accidents." The fix: The manufacturer is working on expediting replacement parts to resolve the issue in those vehicles potentially affected. If you own one: Expect to hear from the manufacturer soon to arrange service. Your chances of being affected are higher if you live in Canada, where a far greater number – estimated at 187,436 – of Journeys may be affected. Related Video: STATEMENT: FLUID LINE May 6, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 10,944 U.S.-market midsize crossover vehicles equipped with optional block heaters to address fluid-line durability in extreme, cold-weather conditions. An investigation found some lines carrying power-steering fluid may leak at engine start-up, when the vehicle is subject to extreme cold. Steering is not lost in such circumstances. However, if a vehicle is so-affected, the amount of physical effort required to steer may increase. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Affected are certain model-year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles. An estimated 187,436 vehicles in Canada are also subject to this recall. Replacement parts are expected to become available soon. Affected customers will be notified accordingly. FCA US urges customers to follow the instructions on all recall notices. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403. Featured Gallery 2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad View 19 Photos News Source: FCA Recalls Dodge Crossover Minivan/Van dodge journey

Killing the Dart and 200 might lower FCA's fuel economy burden

Killing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 could allow FCA US to take advantage of an intriguing quirk in the next decade's fuel economy regulations. By increasing its ratio of trucks versus cars, the automaker might not need to worry so much about hitting the more stringent efficiency rules. At first thought, it might seem harder for an automaker with a ton of trucks to meet the government's mandated 54.5 mile per gallon corporate average fuel economy for 2025. However, every company doesn't need to hit that lofty figure, according to The Detroit Free Press. The exact target varies by the product mix between trucks and cars. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target," Brandon Schoettle, Project Manager Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, told Autoblog. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target." FCA US' current product blend has 80 percent pickups and CUVs, which means the company stands to benefit from a lower fuel economy target. It might not seem entirely fair environmentally, but this is a great move from a business perspective. The new CAFE rules aren't set in stone, according to The Detroit Free Press, but potentially taking advantage of the regulation is just one more reason to cut the Dart and 200. Modern crossovers also aren't gas guzzlers like older SUVs, which could make it easier to hit the fuel economy target. "Utilities offer practicality and versatility that cars do not, and now, built on car architectures, they do not penalize consumers on fuel economy as they once did," AutoTrader Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs told Autoblog. Schoettle warns that FCA is still making a gamble by killing the small sedans. "Depending on the previous sales volumes and how much these vehicles might have exceeded their specific CAFE targets, it's possible that these cars helped earn CAFE credits for FCA that they could bank for future use," he said. "Future sales breakdowns [car vs.