From April 16, 1996....WALL STREET JOURNAL
		by Asra Q. Nomani 

	WASHINGTON--Chrysler Corp., amid pressure from the federal 
auto-safty agency, said it plans to recall the antilock-brake systems on 
some of its popular minivans and other vehicles.
	Prompted by a federal investigation, Chrysler yesterday said it 
would pay to fix the antilock-brake systems on about 275,000 1991-1993 
model minivans and another 75,000 cars, including New Yorkers, Imperials 
and Dynasties.
	The recall came after National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration officials responded angrily to a Chrysler announcement 
that it planned a "repair and reimbursement campaign," something that 
would fall short of an actual recall.
	As part of the recall, Chrysler said it would inspect any of the 
campaign's target vehicles, replace malfunctioning antilock-brake system 
parts free of charge, reimburse owners for previous repairs and extend 
the warranty to 100,000 miles on antilock brake-system parts in the 
potential problem vehicles.
	Early yesterday afternoon, Chrysler public-relations official 
Jason Vines said he planned to issue a press release on "a service 
campaign," as a result of inquiries from this newspaper about the pending 
recall.  But moments after the release was issued, surprised federal 
safety-agency officials called reporters, expressing concern that there 
were no mentions in the press release of the word "safety" or "defect" in 
relation to the antilock brake-system parts.
	"One of the concerns we have with the Chrysler position is that 
nowhere do we see safety mentioned," said Michael Brownlee, the agency's 
associate administrator for safety assurance, shortly after the initial 
Chrysler announcement.  An hour later, following discussions between the 
government and Chrysler, Mr. Vines called back to correct the company's 
stance and clarify that the action amounted to "a safety recall."  
Government officials made it clear during those discussions late 
yesterday that they would continue their investigation if Chrysler failed 
to issue a recall notice.  It's likely that a recall would satisfy 
government investigators.
	A recall differs from a so-called service campaign because it 
requires Chrysler to submit quarterly reports itemizing its notification 
and completion of the recall; it also subjects the company to possible 
fines if it doesn't comply with the recall.