Chrysler Recalls 1.4M Minivans

DaimlerChrysler AG said Friday it was recalling 1.4 million minivans built between 1996 and 2000 to fix problems with a fuel rail seal that could leak, but a replacement part won't be available until March.

The voluntary recall covers Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country minivans with 3.3- and 3.8-liter V-6 engines. It does not involve "flexible-fuel" vehicles, which can run on alternative fuels such as ethanol or natural gas, or those made after September 1999.

The part in question is a seal on the small pipe that carries fuel to the engine. It can fail in vehicles repeatedly operated at elevated temperatures over many years.

DaimlerChrysler spokesman David Wilkins said the company had received 43 reports of leaking fuel rail seals, with two reports of minor injuries from fires near the engine. There have been no reports of wrecks.

Since the part needed for the repair won't be available until March, the company said customers would be notified when it comes in.

The recall affects 1.16 million vehicles in the United States, 182,000 in Canada, 2,000 in Mexico, and 78,000 elsewhere around the world.