When Chrysler Group notifies approximately 18,700 owners of certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from the 2012 and 2013 model years about a recall announced last week, the automaker will have to follow a new protocol established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA explained that all OEMs now must use a distinctive label on required mailings that notify owners of recalled vehicles or equipment. Federal officials explained the requirement was introduced to help owners instantly distinguish important recall notices arriving in their mailboxes from other assorted correspondence and avoid mistakenly discarding critical safety notices.

“Recalls only work if consumers are aware of them,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “This new label will allow consumers to quickly recognize recall notices mailed to their homes so they can act quickly to get their vehicles, child restraints, tires, or other motor vehicle equipment fixed.”

These special notices will be used soon, as Chrysler is recalling approximately 25,250 SUVs to improve pedal feel during certain aggressive braking maneuvers.

Chrysler indicated a supplier raised a concern about the performance of a component that accommodates Ready Alert Braking, a Chrysler safety system that primes brakes for optimal response when making a sudden stop.

“Brake function was neither lost nor out of compliance with regulation, but pedal feel was not consistent with customer expectations,” the automaker said.

“Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries or accidents,” the OEM continued. “An investigation discovered brake-fluid flow was being restricted too much. A software update optimizes flow and restores appropriate pedal feel.”

Affected are certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from model-years 2012 and 2013 — approximately 18,700 in the U.S., 825 in Canada, 530 in Mexico and 5,200 outside the NAFTA region.

Chrysler Group will notify affected customers when to schedule service. Repair costs will absorbed by the company.

Customers who remain concerned can call (800) 853-1403.

When U.S. owners receive a mailed notice about this Chrysler recall, NHTSA officials emphasized the material is supposed to help protect consumers from “misleading sales and marketing materials that mimic, in their wording and presentation, legitimate safety recall alerts from manufacturers that can lead owners to purchase costly products and services that have no connection to a legitimate safety recall.

“As always, NHTSA will monitor for inappropriate materials and will work closely with state and other federal authorities, including the FTC, to address enforcement issues,” the agency went on to say.

Federal officials pointed out the new label on safety recall notices is one of many new tools designed to improve recall notification for consumers.

NHTSA also launched an app for Android devices that can provide users free access to key safety information, including recalls and safety performance.

The new Android SaferCar app, which joins the iOS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch released last year, can help consumers find recall information and up-to-date vehicle safety information, search the agency’s 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls, among other features.

NHTSA acting administrator David Friedman said the app can make it simple to submit complaints to NHTSA regarding possible safety problems with a particular vehicle. Friedman mentioned app users can receive important news and information from NHTSA on tire and child seat recalls, as well.

“NHTSA plays an important role in investigating potential safety defects, overseeing all safety recalls and warning the public of potential safety issues involving vehicles, car seats, tires and other equipment,” Friedman said.

“By providing new and convenient tools for consumers, we hope to empower owners to take action to ensure their vehicles and loved ones are safe,” he added.