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Chrysler Recalls Dodge, Jeep Vehicles for Pedal Flaw (Update3)
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By Angela Greiling Keane
June 4 (Bloomberg) -- Chrysler Group LLC recalled almost 35,000 Dodge and Jeep vehicles for accelerator pedals that may become stuck, the company said today.
The pedals in Dodge Calibers and Jeep Compasses for the 2007 model year were made by CTS Corp., the Elkhart, Indiana- based company that supplied similar parts in Toyota Motor Co.’s cars. The recall covers 34,614 Calibers and 90 Compasses, with 73 percent in the U.S., Chrysler said in a statement.
“Under certain conditions the pedal may not immediately return to its idle position,” Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said in an e-mailed statement. “Some vehicles have been built with accelerator pedal pivot bushings that may dislodge, causing the pedal to slowly return under limited operating conditions.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last month it was investigating Chrysler’s vehicles after five consumers reported pedals became stuck while driving. NHTSA said this week it is investigating Ford Motor Co. cars for pedals that may become stuck on floor mats. Toyota has ordered record recalls for pedals that were sticky or became trapped by mats, contributing to unintended acceleration.
Mitchell Walorski, CTS director of planning and investor relations, didn’t respond to a telephone call seeking comment. CTS fell 53 cents, or 4.9 percent, to $10.38 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
The recalled Chrysler vehicles have electronic throttle control technology, the company said in a June 3 letter to NHTSA. The software is intended to stop cars when both the accelerator and brake are applied. Chrysler is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Chrysler said it isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries related to the pedal defect.
To contact the reporter on this story: Angela Greiling Keane in Washington at agreilingkea@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: June 4, 2010 16:29 EDT