By Tom Krisher, The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com, Updated: June 7, 2010 4:22 PM
Chrysler recalls 700,000 Jeeps, minivans


FILE - In this June 18, 2009 file photo, the Chrysler logo shines on the grille of a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country minivan at a Chrysler-Jeep dealership in the Colorado city of Centennial. Federal regulators say Chrysler is recalling nearly 600,000 Jeep Wranglers and Chrysler and Dodge minivans for brake or wiring problems. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
DETROIT - Chrysler is recalling almost 700,000 minivans and Jeep Wranglers worldwide because of brake or wiring problems that could create safety issues, the company said Monday.

In Canada, the company issued a recall of approximately 29,000 Jeep Wranglers from the 2007 through 2010 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak. It also recalled about 15,000 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2008 and 2009 model years because a wiring problem can cause a fire inside the sliding doors.

Chrysler said it is recalling 288,968 Jeep Wranglers and 284,831 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans in the U.S.

Neither problem has caused any crashes or injuries, Chrysler Group LLC said.

It was the second notable recall in the past week for Chrysler. The company recalled nearly 35,000 Dodge Calibers and a limited number of Jeep Compasses last week to fix a potential problem with sticky gas pedals, the same issue that has afflicted millions of Toyotas.

In the latest recall, the front inner fender liners on the Jeeps can rub against the brake fluid tubes and cause a leak. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the leak could lead to a partial brake loss.

The minivans can have improperly placed wires that can come into contact with sliding door hinges that could cut through the insulation, Chrysler and NHTSA said.

Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said the defect could lead to a fire inside the minivan door "in rare instances."

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers about the repairs, which will be made free of charge. The recall is expected to start later this month.

The Wranglers affected by the recall were made from May 15, 2006 through Aug. 9, 2010, according to NHTSA. The minivans were made from February 2007 through September 2007.

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Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas in the Washington, D.C., bureau contributed to this report.