Chrysler Recalls Minivans for Repair

01/96

Chrysler is recalling approximately 265,000 1996 Dodge Caravans and Grand caravans, Plymouth Voyagers and Grand Voyagers, and Chrysler Town and Country models built between January 1995 and early-August 1995. The company will replace fuel tank filler tubes on 80,000 1996 minivans and install ground straps on the rest of the vehicles.

Chrysler investigated reports of fuel leakage and determined that when the recalled minivans are parked nose down on a hill and they have a full gas tank, fuel tank valves can leak, allowing gas into vapor canisters. To remedy the situation, dealers will install new fuel tank filler tubes that contain an additional fuel flow valve. Associated vapor hoses will be rerouted.

On other vehicles Chrysler will install ground straps to prevent sparks from electrostatic discharge at the fuel filler tube, because under certain conditions (particular low temperatures, low humidity and low fuel tank level), sparks can occur when fuel nozzles come in contact with fuel fill tubes.

Chrysler noted that a number of rare circumstances have to coincide for this to present a problem, and that they have only received two reports of minor paint damage due to the problems. No injuries have been reported.

Paul Dever --- The Auto Channel

source: 1996 North American International Auto Show Press Release