Recall Alert: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8

Dodge is recalling certain versions of its performance-oriented SRT8 sedans because of a glitch in the tire pressure monitoring system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The systems in 303 SRT8 versions of the 2012 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger don't warn drivers when tire pressure falls 25% below the recommended level. The affected vehicles notify drivers when the pressure reaches 22 pounds per square inch instead of the required 24 psi. Underinflated tires could result in tire overloading and overheating, leading to a possible blowout or crash.

Vehicles in the recall were manufactured from May 2 through Nov. 17, 2011. (You can find the vehicle's build date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.) Dealers will reprogram the TPMS for free. Owners will be notified next month. For more info, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2007-2011 Mini Cooper

BMW is recalling several turbocharged versions of its popular Mini Cooper coupe and convertible to address problems with the water pump that cools the turbocharger, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A problem with the electric circuit board could malfunction and overheat, leading to a potential fire. USA Today is reporting that Mini parent BMW received 12 complaints regarding the issue, and in eight cases, the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked and the engine was off.

The recall affects nearly 90,000 Coopers and is limited to vehicles built between Nov. 16, 2006, and Jan. 18, 2011. (You can find the vehicle's build date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.) The affected vehicles are listed below:

2007-2011 Cooper S
2008-2011 Cooper S Clubman
2009-2011 Cooper S Convertible
2011 Cooper S Countryman
2009-2011 Cooper John Cooper Works
2009 Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works
2010-2011 Cooper Convertible John Cooper Works

BMW will notify owners in February and replace the water pump free of charge. For more info, owners can call BMW at 866-275-6464 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2001-02 Ford Escapes

Ford is recalling 244,530 model-year 2001-02 Ford Escapes over a potential brake fluid leak that could cause a car fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On vehicles manufactured from Oct. 22, 1999, through July 19, 2002, the brake master cylinder reservoir cap could leak brake fluid. If the fluid comes into contact with the antilock braking system module, an electrical fire could result.

Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the antilock braking system will be modified. Ford will start notifying affected owners starting the week of Jan. 23. For more info, owners can call Ford at 866-436-7332 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2004-05 Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey

Ford is recalling 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans from the 2004-05 model years because the torque converter output shaft may fail, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If the shaft fails, the driver may experience a sudden loss of motive power without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the torque converter for free. The recall is expected to begin in the spring because the parts needed for repairs will not be available until then. Owners can call Ford at 866-436-7332 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi is recalling 21 model-year 2012 Outlander Sport compact SUVs for faulty turn-signal levers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were built from Nov. 9 through Dec. 16. In some vehicles, the turn-signal lever’s auto-cancel function may not work. If this happens, the turn signal may indicate a direction the car no longer intends to travel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi has not yet provided an owner notification schedule, but dealers will inspect and replace faulty turn-signal levers for free. Owners can call Mitsubishi at 800-222-0037 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

GM Makes Changes to Chevy Volt Battery

In an effort to reduce the risk of electrical fire after a severe accident, Chevrolet has issued what it calls a customer satisfaction initiative on the Volt. General Motors is voluntarily recalling nearly 8,000 Volts to re-engineer the battery coolant system. GM is also making structural enhancements to the vehicle to protect the battery in the event of a crash.

The modifications are an answer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s findings that severe-impact crashes could lead to a coolant leak and electrical fire. Lab tests late last year on the battery pack led to an electrical fire six days later. A similar occurrence happened after the Volt was involved in a major crash in summer 2011.

Recall Alert: 2011-12 Suzuki Equator

Suzuki is recalling 73 2011 and 2012 Equator pickups due to faulty engine bolts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Only one 2012 model is affected; the rest are 2011 models, Suzuki says.

In the affected vehicles, the bolts connecting the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine may have been manufactured below specification. As a result, the bolt could break and cause an engine oil leak. If there is a leak, the engine oil warning lamp will illuminate, and the engine may become noisy. If the driver ignores the condition, the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.

The safety concern was investigated by Nissan, which builds the Equator for the Japanese carmaker. The Nissan Frontier, which is a near clone of the Equator, is currently undergoing the same recall, as well as other SUVs and cargo vans.

Suzuki will notify owners Jan 19. The repair to the engine connector bolts will be covered by each owner's vehicle warranty, Suzuki says. For more info, owners can call Suzuki at 714-996-7040 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2012 Honda Odyssey

Honda issued a recall of just nine Odyssey minivans to address a faulty nut, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On certain 2012 Odysseys manufactured from Oct. 31 through Nov. 30, the retention nut for the front right lower suspension damper bolt may not have been properly tightened. If the nut loosens, the wheel assembly may shift, and a loss of steering might result.

Honda notified all affected owners on Dec. 19, and dealers will fix the nut free of charge. Owners with questions can call Honda at 800-999-1009 or NHTSA’s safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

GM is recalling 4,296 2012 Chevrolet Sonics because they may be missing a brake pad, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, which were built between June 2 and Nov. 21, 2011, the front-brake inner or outer pad may be missing. (You can find the vehicle's build date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.) A missing pad could reduce brake performance and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin around Jan. 14. Dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing pad. If a brake pad is missing, the dealer will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper and a new rotor for free. Owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2012 Jaguar XF

Jaguar is recalling 51 model-year 2012 XF sedans to fix an incorrect certification label, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The label lists the wrong gross vehicle weight rating. Exceeding the rating could lead to a loss of vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash. Affected vehicles were built from Sept. 7 through Nov. 24. The vehicle's build date is on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

Dealers will replace the label free of charge. Jaguar will start notifying owners on or before Jan. 23. Owners can contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.