Chrysler recalls about 583,000 vehicles

updated 5:30 p.m. ET Oct. 7, 2005

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group said Friday that it would voluntarily recall about 300,000 vehicles with a potential defect that could prevent the driver from placing the transmission in “park.”

The recall involves some 2005 model year Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, Dodge Dakota/Mitsubishi Raider pickups and Dodge Durango vehicles equipped with some six-cylinder engines and automatic transmissions.

Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said that a plug inside the transmission may be missing or improperly staked, potentially preventing the driver from placing the shifter in the “park” position. No accidents or injuries have been associated with the possible defect, he said.

Dealers will repair the transmission by installing a bracket at no cost to owners. Until the repair is made, owners should use the parking brake to secure the vehicle when parked, Gates said.

Chrysler also said it was voluntarily recalling about 283,000 Dodge Ram pickups from the 2003-2005 model years equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions to correct possible inadvertent movement of the vehicles.

Although no vehicle defect has been identified, Chrysler has found that some drivers are not fully placing the shift lever in the “park” position. If the driver leaves a running vehicle without placing the shifter fully in “park,” the vehicle may roll away or, after a delay, move rearward.

Dealers will install, at no cost to owners, an alarm that will sound if the driver tries to exit the running vehicle with the shifter not fully placed in the “park” position. In the interim, owners are urged to always remove the key from the ignition and engage the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.

Chrysler has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of both recalls.

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