Ford, Chrysler announce recalls

WASHINGTON (Sept. 5)—Chrysler Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have announced major recalls involving vehicle hose and tire jack problems. Chrysler is recalling a total of 569,000 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks. This includes 40,000 Dakotas, model years 1997-2000, equipped with 2.5-liter engines because they have inadequate clearance between the left front brake tubes and the power steering hoses; 92,000 Dakotas, model year 1997, because of inadequate clearance between the fuel line and cab underbody; and another 437,000 Dakotas, model years 1997-2000, because of inadequate clearance between the rear axle vent hose and the brake hose. Ford, meanwhile, is recalling 875,000 Ford Crown Victorias, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars, model years 1998-2000, because of faulty jacking instructions which may cause the jacks to yield and the cars to drop suddenly.