AUTOS : Chrysler Recalls 727,000 Vehicles in One of EPA’s Largest Requests
DETROIT — Chrysler Corp. is recalling almost 727,000 cars and sport utility vehicles from the model years 1987 through 1991 to replace an oxygen sensor because the vehicles do not meet federal emissions standards.
The Environmental Protection Agency asked the auto maker to recall the vehicles after the agency tested vehicles in Michigan, California and Colorado and found that the oxygen sensors could fail, Chrysler spokesman Lee Sechler said. The cars being recalled were sold in all 50 states, he said.
Chrysler would not disclose the cost of the recall, which is one of the largest ever requested by the EPA.
The models affected are 1987 through 1990 Jeep Cherokee, Wagoneer and Comanche sport utility vehicles and pickups with 4.0-liter engines; 1988 to early 1991 Eagle Premier sedans with 3.0-liter engines; 1988 and 1989 Premiers with 2.5-liter engines; 1990 to early 1991 Dodge Monaco sedans with 3.0-liter engines, and 1987 Alliance and GTA subcompacts with 2.0-liter engines.
Chrysler will replace catalytic converters as well as oxygen sensors on the Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco sedans with 3.0-liter engines, Sechler said.
Chrysler will stagger the mailing of notices to the owners, he said.
“Some owners have already been notified, while other letters are going out today,” he said. “We will also mail letters Nov. 24 and later.”
The repairs are expected to take about an hour, he said.
Earlier this month, Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors of America agreed to comply with the EPA’s request for a recall of about 38,000 1990-model Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse coupes built in the United States, also to replace defective oxygen sensors.
About 24,500 Talon and Laser cars are involved, Chrysler said. Mitsubishi said about 12,600 Eclipses are covered by the emissions recall.
All those cars have 2.0-liter, turbocharged engines. California cars are not included in that recall. The three coupe models are nearly identical in design. They are made by Diamond-Star Motors Corp. in Normal, Ill.
