Chrysler Adds Cash Back to Slow Sellers for December

For December, Chrysler is extending most incentives and adding a few new ones to entice shoppers.

New additions include an Owner Loyalty cash-back program for the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country and 2010 Grand Caravan. Each minivan is eligible for 0% financing for 72 months or up to $2,000 cash back. The program is also open to owners of minivans from competing brands. If you’re looking at these two vans, keep in mind that they've been extensively refreshed for the 2011 model year. The 2011 Chrysler minivans are already in production and should reach dealerships soon.

The 2011 Dodge Caliber gets an extra $1,000 cash back for the month, now up to $2,000, as well as 0% financing for 36 months.

The Dodge Challenger gets an additional $1,500 cash-back offer for consumers who buy the 2010 with a manual transmission. When exploring this option, remember that the Challenger gets a new V-6 for 2011.

The 2011 Jeep Liberty, which received a few updates, has increased its cash-back offer by $1,500 in December, now up to $2,500 cash back. The new 2011 Jeep Patriot also gets a new $500 lease bonus cash offer for the month.

The Ram brand continues its Engine Bonus Cash, which offers a cash-back incentive of $500 to $1,000 depending on powertrain, though most of the additional bonus cash for the truck brand has been dropped for December.

For more details, continue reading below:

Chrysler Expanding 60-Day Return Incentive

Chrysler has been allowing buyers of its Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans to return them within 60 days if they weren’t satisfied with the purchase. Now the company is expanding the program to most Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Only the Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Viper are excluded.

They’ll also pay for the first two months of payments up to $1,000 total. Chrysler says they’ll take the return “no questions asked,” but buyers will still be on the hook for fees, finance charges and negative equity, which could be significant. We list all the fine print below.

Chrysler is also offering 0% financing for 60 months on 2010 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles through Aug. 2.

Recall Alert: 40,131 Chrysler Vehicles

Chrysler has issued a recall for 40,131 vehicles from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles include the 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Ram, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The recall is due to a defect that could allow the driver to remove the key from the ignition switch before putting the shifter into park. The vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node with a binding condition that could cause this. Obviously, the vehicle may move unintentionally and cause an accident.

Dealers will inspect and replace the wireless ignition node module for free. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 24,177 Chrysler Vehicles

Chrysler has issued a recall for 24,177 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The models include the 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010 Dodge Avenger, 2010 Dodge Nitro, 2009-2010 Dodge Ram, 2010 Jeep Commander, 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2010 Jeep Liberty.

These vehicles could have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip, the NHTSA says. This could have serious consequences for drivers; without this component, the brakes could fail without warning and cause a crash.

Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip for free. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

The Future Jeep Lineup

Today, Chrysler executives revealed their future plans for the Jeep brand. Prior to the company’s bankruptcy, many considered Jeep the only brand valuable enough to sell off. Now, the company will slowly revamp the lineup, much like they’re doing with the Dodge brand.

Here’s a look at their new commercial.

There weren’t nearly as many specific details given about the new Jeep models or what the major refreshes would include. The most notable new product mentioned is an all-new Jeep SUV based on a very small Fiat model. The company says the entire Jeep brand will be converted to a new architecture by 2013 and ride on front-, all- and four-wheel drive.

Fiat to Gut Chrysler Lineup

Update 11/5/09: Fiat and Chrysler have officially announced lineups for the future which directly counter the claims made in the Wall Street Journal story mentioned in the below post. Click on the following links for the formal lineups.

The Future Chrysler Lineup
The Future Jeep Lineup
The Future Dodge Lineup

The Wall Street Journal reported today Fiat’s future plan for Chrysler, a full week before the company is to meet in a closed-door session with analysts and media to reveal its intentions.

The article is striking in its detail and scope of Fiat’s restructuring. Nearly the entire Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep lineups will be replaced in five years by not only Fiat technology and products but also the return of Alfa Romeo as a luxury marquee slated above Chrysler.

We break down the product shifts below.

Recall Alert: 4,300 Jeep Vehicles

Chrysler has issued a recall for 4,336 Jeep vehicles from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles include the Commander, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler four-door 4x4.

These vehicles may have the wiring reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. This could cause the driver’s airbag to fail to deploy in the event of an accident and lead to driver injury.

Dealers will inspect the driver’s airbag squib wires and, if necessary, replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May.

Owners can contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.