Chrysler Loses Fight Over Federal Recall

Chrysler Corp. lost its unprecedented challenge of a government recall order as a federal judge ordered the auto maker to recall 91,000 Cirrus and Stratus cars because their rear seat belt systems are unsafe. The government’s highway safety agency wanted the 1995 Cirrus and Dodge Stratus cars called for repair, without charge, of the belts’ anchoring system, which failed a federal strength test. Chrysler refused in 1996, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took the company to court. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in Washington sided with the government and ordered Chrysler to notify car owners of the recall by the end of March. The judge is to rule later whether Chrysler should be assessed a civil fine for rejecting the government’s order. Chrysler officials said they will appeal. Chrysler is the first car maker to fight in court a government recall order based on a car’s failure of a government safety test standard.