Chrysler to recall 247,000 SUVs and sedans

US car maker Chrysler is recalling around 247,000 SUVs and sedans over several problems, including faulty gas tank hoses, broken drive shafts and faulty air bag warning lights.

The largest recall is for 119,500 sedans over faulty airbag warning lights, which illuminate for no reason, but engineers have traced the problem to faulty wiring.

The Detroit-based carmaker will recall Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger sedans made between April 2011 and December 2011 and sold in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Chrysler said that it will rectify the problem for free and will start notifying owners this month.

Chrysler also is recalling 78,500 two-wheel-drive Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro midsize SUVs from the 2007 and 2008 model years over faulty drive shafts.

Around 61,400 vehicles will be recalled in the US, 13,700 in Mexico, 1,000 in Canada and 2,300 from elsewhere. Also included is a sister vehicle to the Liberty that is sold outside North America.

Chrysler said that a heat shield can drop and rub against the drive shaft, causing it to wear and break. If the shaft breaks, the SUVs will lose power and the side air bags may inflate.

The carmaker said that dealers will install a bracket to hold the shield in place free of costs.

Chrysler is also recalling about 30,000 small SUVs due to a faulty hose inside the gas tank that can cause them to run out of fuel.

The recall affects Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass four-wheel-drive vehicles made from 18 October 2011 to 7 May 2012. 

The recall affects about 20,500 SUVs in the US, 2,300 in Canada, while the remaining will be in Mexico and outside North America.