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Chrysler Recalls Minivans, SUVs to Fix Ignition Switches

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Chrysler worker Mickey Rosete steps out of a Jeep for sale on a car lot Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, in San Diego. Black Friday promotions — coupled with falling gas prices, low-interest loans and hot new vehicles — drove U.S. auto sales higher in November, kicking off what's expected to be a strong holiday season. Chrysler posted its best November in 13 years. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Chrysler worker Mickey Rosete steps out of a Jeep for sale on a car lot Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — About 703,000 Fiat Chrysler SUVs and minivans will have to go back to the shop to fix malfunctioning ignition switches that can cause the vehicles to stall unexpectedly.

Chrysler also is warning owners to remove everything but the ignition key from their key rings until repairs can be made. The switches can slip from the “run” to “off” position on bumpy roads, causing the engines to stall without warning. If that happens, it will knock out power steering and brakes, which can cause a crash.

It can also disable the air bags, according to documents posted Friday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall, which is the second repair for many of the vehicles for the same problem, covers Dodge Journey SUVs as well as Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans from the 2008 through 2010 model years.

Chrysler says in the documents that it will replace the faulty switches, but the parts are now being manufactured and won’t be available until at least April. Until then, the key rings should be cleared because swinging keys can help cause the switches to change position.

The problem is similar to one that forced General Motors Corp. to recall 2.6 million small cars last year. The GM switches caused crashes that killed at least 57 people and injured at least 104 others. GM has acknowledged knowing about the problem for a decade but failed to recall the cars until last year.

The safety agency began investigating the Chrysler vehicles in June of last year, after problems surfaced with the GM ignition switches. It closed the probe earlier this week, after Chrysler agreed to replace the switches, according to the documents. Chrysler and the safety agency received 89 consumer complaints about the switches with one accident report and no injuries, the documents stated.

“This situation is extremely dangerous, and if it has not caused any deaths yet as with the current GM ignition problem, it will,” the owner of a 2010 Grand Caravan wrote in a complaint filed with NHTSA in March of last year. “Something needs to be done.” People who complain to NHTSA are not identified in the agency’s complaint database.

Fiat Chrysler U.S. spokesman Eric Mayne said about 196,000 minivans and Journeys from the 2010 model year were repaired under a 2011 recall that took care of the potential stalling problem. But those vehicles still had problems with the switches sticking.

The 2008 and 2009 vehicles, although recalled last year, didn’t get any repairs and still have the potential for the ignitions to slip out of position, he said. All 703,000 minivans and SUVs will now get completely new switches made by a different manufacturer, according to the NHTSA documents.

Chrysler plans to start notifying owners to bring their vehicles in for repairs starting April 6.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Art

After 10-Year Wait, Fillmore Heritage Center Reopens in San Francisco

After serving as the economic and cultural hub of the Fillmore’s historically Black community for more than a decade, the center’s closure ended what was called the “Rebirth of the Cool,” referring to the neighborhood’s role during the height of Black Jazz in the United States.

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Rev. Amos Brown of Third Baptist Church addresses community members at the Fillmore Heritage Center ribbon cutting. Photo by Linda Parker Pennington.
Rev. Amos Brown of Third Baptist Church addresses community members at the Fillmore Heritage Center ribbon cutting. Photo by Linda Parker Pennington.

By Linda Parker Pennington, Special to The Post

Last Saturday morning, the cloudy skies cleared just as the highly anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony began, marking the reopening of the Fillmore Heritage Center at 1330 Fillmore and Eddy.

The complex – which had once included Yoshi’s Jazz Club, the Lush Life Art Gallery, the Koret Heritage Lobby, a 54-seat microcinema, and the Black-owned 1300 On Fillmore restaurant – shuttered in 2015.

After serving as the economic and cultural hub of the Fillmore’s historically Black community for more than a decade, the center’s closure ended what was called the “Rebirth of the Cool,” referring to the neighborhood’s role during the height of Black Jazz in the United States.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announcing the reopening of the Fillmore Heritage Center. Erika Scott, owner of Honey Art Studio, looks on with pride. Photo by Linda Parker Pennington.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announcing the reopening of the Fillmore Heritage Center. Erika Scott, owner of Honey Art Studio, looks on with pride. Photo by Linda Parker Pennington.

“The Fillmore is the most important neighborhood in San Francisco’s history for centering Black culture, music, business, and community, and has shaped this City and influenced the entire country,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to the gathering of more than 100 community leaders, business owners, and public officials. “This building reflects the deep roots of the Fillmore. Urban renewal left deep scars that are still felt today. This Center celebrates a strong Black community that continues to shape San Francisco. I am proud to join the community as we reopen the Fillmore Heritage Center.”

Although the previous stakeholders will not be returning to the center, spaces are available for nonprofit organizations and ventures, such as Fillmore native Ericka Johnson’s Honey Art Studio.

“This Center will be an economic engine and a thriving venue that shines a light on the Black-owned businesses in this neighborhood and lifts the entire district,” Lurie continued. “Our City is committed to this community for the long term.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with the City to finally reopen these doors,” said Ken Johnson, a videographer and community leader who’d been lobbying for the reopening of the center. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the entrepreneurship and creative spirit of this ‘Harlem of the West’ and the ‘Rebirth of the Cool,’ grounded in our uniquely gifted Fillmore community.”

This month, through its Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the city will begin renting the building’s noncommercial spaces for pop-up events celebrating local talent, arts, and entertainment primarily centered in the Fillmore.

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Oakland Post: Week of June 3 – 9, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 3 – 9, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of May 27 – June 2, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 27 – June 2, 2026

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