— Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) has announced two recalls totaling about 580,000 cars and SUVs, but no word has been announced concerning when the recalls will begin.
Jeep Wrangler
About 500,000 of the recalled vehicles are model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler SUVs, including 7,435 right-hand-drive SUVs sold for duties such as delivering mail.
An internal investigation by Chrysler found dust and dirt can affect the clockspring inside the steering wheel and prevent the driver-side airbag from deploying in a crash.
The automaker says it's likely the dirt and dust is collected when the top or doors are removed from the SUV during off-road use. A driver will notice an airbag warning light if the airbag is disabled, a condition that requires an immediate call to a dealer.
The automaker says no reports of accidents or injuries have been received.
Chrysler says almost 393,500 of the Jeep Wranglers are recalled in the U.S., 35,412 in Canada, 8,529 in Mexico and 62,580 Jeep Wranglers are recalled outside North America.
FCA says the 2007-2010 Wranglers need new steering wheel back covers and steering column shrouds, but the automaker doesn't know when the recall will begin.
Fiat 500
A separate recall will see more than 80,000 model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 cars called back so dealers can upgrade the clutch release systems. Chrysler says the cars are equipped with manual transmissions, but cars with turbocharged engines aren't included in the recall.
The automaker says the clutch can move beyond what it was designed to do and cause damage capable of interfering with the shifting of gears and the movement of the car.
Although no accidents or injuries have been reported, FCA says some incidents have caused damage, but the percentage is a very small 0.01 percent.
The number of affected Fiat 500 cars in the U.S. is estimated to be 39,217, with an additional 7,834 cars in Canada, 7,155 in Mexico and 26,268 that are located outside North America.
Chrysler doesn't know when the Fiat 500 recall will begin, but affected owners with questions about either recall should call the automaker at 800-853-1403.
CarComplaints.com has complaints about the Jeep Wrangler SUVs and Fiat 500 cars named in the recalls: