Chrysler to recall 380,000 Renaults

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. — Chrysler Corp. said Wednesday it would recall 380,000 Renault models to replace a cooling system component blamed in at least one fatal accident.

The heater core on 1983-87 Alliance and Encore models could fail, allowing coolant to spew into the vehicle.

Chrysler spokesman James Kenyon said the automaker knew of “a tiny number” of injuries resulting from the defect. Most were burns, although one passenger was killed in an accident caused by coolant releasing into a vehicle, Kenyon said.

The victim was not wearing a seat belt, Kenyon said.

American Motors Corp. stopped making the Alliance and Encore in 1987, shortly before AMC was bought by Chrysler.

Vehicle owners should make sure the cooling system is maintained according to the owner’s manual, and should contact a Jeep-Eagle dealer if the engine overheats.

Chrysler planned to notify owners by mail later this month. The work will be done free at Jeep-Eagle dealerships.

On Tuesday, Volkswagen United States recalled 650,000 Golf, Jetta and GTI vehicles to fix a heating-system problem that has led to about 50 passengers being burned.

The vehicles involved were 1985 to early 1990 models. The heat exchanger in the cars, located behind the instrument panel, can rupture when the engine overheats, leading to heated cooling fluid splashing passengers, the company said.