UPDATE 3:22 ET: Chrysler clarifies that steering wheel would collapse improperly.  Chrysler is recalling 11 of its 2011 models because a bad rivet could cause the steering wheel to collapse improperly in a collision.  The recall covers more than 11,351 of its 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, Chrysler 200 and Dodge Caliber and Avenger cars, Jeep Wrangler SUVs and Dodge Journey and Nitro and Jeep Compass, Liberty and Patriot crossovers. It involves vehicles of the 11 models built from mid-April to early May.  Chrysler told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it has no reports of crashes or injuries. NHTSA's website says the defect is a possible missing or misinstalled rivet among the rivets that hold the steering column adjustment mechanism in place.  If one is missing or misaligned, the steering column may not collapse as designed if the driver's body hits it during a collision, Vince Muniga, a Chrysler spokesman, told the Associated Press.  NHTSA initially said on its website that the problem could cause a loss of steering, but later told the AP that was incorrect.  Chrysler discovered a steering column rivet missing some of the vehicles and then inspected 14,000 and found seven with missing or misaligned rivets. The problem was traced to improper identification of rejected parts by new employees on one shift at a plant near Toledo, according to documents filed with NHTSA.  Dealers will check the rivets and repair any problem. Owners and dealers will get an official letter beginning next month. Because Chrysler acted quickly, many of the affected vehicles likely remain on dealer lots and have not yet been sold.  See photos of: Chrysler LLC, Dodge, Jeep  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
2011 Chryslers, Dodges, Jeeps recalled for steering problem - Drive On: A conversation about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com