Chrysler is recalling nearly a million minivans from the 1998 to 2000 model years sold as the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Plymouth Grand Voyager.  A defect inside the clockspring can cause the driver airbag to fail to deploy during a crash.  This could lead lead to serious person injuries or wrongful death from the accident.  However, Chrysler limited mandatory replacement of the clockspring only to those vehicles having 70,000 miles; owners of vehicles having more miles than that receive only an extended warranty, unless the clockspring fails.  Of course, if it fails during a crash, then it will be too late.

The government’s recall number is 04V-480.

Hyundai is recalling nearly 400,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from the 2006 to 2008 model years for defects in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat.  The OCS is intended to suppress airbag deployment in a crash if it determines that a small child is in the front passenger seat.  However, this safety defect also shuts off the airbag system if a small stature adult is sitting in that seat.  If that happens, airbag deployment will not occur for the adult, which could cause significant personal injuries or a wrongful death.

The government’s recall number is 08V-161.