VW Recalls 15,902 Vans Built by Chrysler

DETROIT — Volkswagen AG notified U.S. safety regulators that it is recalling 15,902 of its 2009 Routan minivan over a possible wiring problem that could lead to a fire, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Chrysler Group LLC assembles the vehicles for VW at its Windsor, Ontario plant.

Chrysler itself announced Monday it was recalling 318,974 of its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans because of the same wiring problem. The minivans are made at the same plant.

Under certain conditions, the lower sliding door hinge bracket can make contact with some internal wiring installation, which may cause a fire within the rear sliding door. Both companies have had no reports of injuries or accidents associated with the problem.

Volkswagen said in a statement posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it will start the recall sometime this month although a date was not provided.

General Motors Co. earlier this week recalled 1.5 million vehicles with heated washer-fluid systems following engine fires that continued to occur even after a fix was made in 2008. Also Suzuki Motor Corp. recently recalled 46,549 of its Grand Vitara and XL-7 vehicles over the possibility of a plastic piece breaking off the tension adjuster pulley.

The recalls underscore a hypersensitivity within the auto industry to quickly initiate recalls following the plight of Toyota Motor Co. The auto maker was fined $16.4 million for failing to notify NHTSA of defects that led to gas pedals "sticking" in the acceleration mode even when a driver's foot had been lifted.