The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall warning for the 2012 Fiat 500 compact car and 2012 Dodge Journey midsize SUV. Certain models of both vehicles from the Chrysler Motor Corp. may have been assembled with contaminated brake fluid which can lead to loss of stopping power.

According to NHTSA, about a total of 340 Fiat 500 and Dodge Journeys may have this bad hydraulic brake fluid which deteriorates the vehicles' brake seals. If the seals fail and there is a loss of braking power, the risk of a collision increases, warns the federal safety agency.

In December, Chrysler will begin to notify affected owners to bring their vehicle into a local dealership. Mechanics there will replace free of charge the bad brake fluid and all of the brake components that have come into it.

For more information, consumers can contact Chrysler's toll-free customer support line (800-853-1403) or visit the NHTSA website: www.SaferCar.gov.

Recall: 2012 Fiat 500 / 2012 Dodge Journey - Brakes Campaign ID# 11V550000 [NHTSA]