VW had no choice but to follow Chrysler.
Volkswagen AG has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is recalling more than 15,000 of its 2009 model Routan minivans because of a possible wiring routing problem that could cause fires.
There are no reports of accidents or injuries from the safety defect.
However, this is just the latest in a growing list of examples where an auto company hastens a recall, which is the direct result of the record $16.4 million fine that Toyota paid to NHTSA for its delays in recalling millions of vehicles with sticking accelerators.
The minivans may have been assembled with an improperly routed wire harness. The lower sliding-door hinge bracket can make contact and wear through the wire insulation. A short circuit in the latch is then possible, which in turn could cause a fire.
Chrysler Group LLC assembles the vehicles for VW at its Windsor, Ontario plant, and earlier this week announced its own recall of more than 318,000 of its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans because of the same wiring problem. The minivans are made at the same plant.
VW will start its recall sometime later this month.
(See Chrysler Recalling 600,000 Minivans and Jeeps)