Chrysler's Ignition Switch Problems Continue with Recall for 790,000 Jeep SUVs

Jul 23, 2014 10:20 AM EDT | Jordan Ecarma

Chrysler has announced a second recall for faulty ignition switches that affects 792,300 older Jeep SUVs.

The recall brings Chrysler's total for vehicles with switches that can shut off the engine while driving to 1.68 million vehicles, Reuters reported. The issue has been related to one accident but no injuries, according to the automaker.

Chrysler informed federal regulators of the recall on Monday, saying that affected owners will be notified starting in mid-September.

The recall affects Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles from model years 2005-'07 and Jeep Commander SUVs from model years 2006-'07, which have ignition switches that can be inadvertently bumped from the "run" position if a driver's knee hits the key fob. Similar to problems in General Motors vehicles revealed earlier this year, the cars can shut off while driving and simultaneously disable the air bags.   

In the earlier recall, Chrysler said last month that 891,957 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans from model years 2008 and 2009 and the 2009 Dodge Journey crossover had ignition switch issues.

Two accidents but no injuries have been connected with the recalled minivans and the crossover.

Chrysler rival GM has been plagued with ignition switch problems for most of the year following 13 deaths in GM small cars including the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion. The automaker recalled 2.6 million vehicles in the spring for the problem, an announcement that has been followed by more recalls for some 26 million vehicles altogether.

Newer versions of Chrysler's Grand Cherokee are not included in the recall, and the Commander is no longer being manufactured. Chrysler, which is part of Fiat Chrysler Automotive after a merger earlier this year, has not specified how much the company will spend to make the repairs.

2014 has been a staggering year for recalls in the U.S. auto industry, far surpassing the 2004 record of 33 million with around 40 million recalled vehicles so far. 

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