Investigation Into FCA's Monostable Shifter Finds 266 Crashes, 68 Injuries

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Like the rapidly accumulating clouds of an approaching thunderstorm, the number of crashes and injuries related to the misuse of Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Monostable shifter are beginning to mushroom.

An investigation into the shifter, like the one in the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee which crushed and killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, found 266 crashes that injured 68 people. Originally, the shifter was fingered in 121 crashes and 41 injuries.

Citing documents posted yesterday on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, the AP says investigators also found 686 consumer complaints about the shifters and said that FCA received negative customer feedback shortly after the vehicles went on sale. The agency closed its investigation last Friday after FCA agreed to speed up the global recall of 1.1 million vehicles.

According to reports, FCA has begun providing dealers with a software update for the affected vehicles, two months earlier than previously expected. FCA has also been exhorting customers to set parking brakes before exiting their vehicles and to follow instructions on information cards mailed out by the company.

Jack recently called for standardized operation of certain safety-related controls, and he may have a point. I have been using my recalled 2012 Charger as a daily driver for four years and still occasionally land in Neutral and not Reverse when attempting to execute a three-point turn. However, descriptions by other outlets of having to “push the lever forward three times” in order to engage Park from Drive are patently false; a good and firm push forward on the lever through three tactile detents will put the thing squarely in Park. To confirm, I just went out in my driveway and tried it.

The recall covers the 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee along with the 2012–2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. The Monostable shifter has since been replaced with a more traditional lever in newer versions of these vehicles.

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • WV Cycling WV Cycling on Jun 29, 2016

    "266 Crashes, 68 Injuries" I know the whole Bell Shape Curve of human intelligence and common sense, but this truly makes me lose hope in humanity.

    • RHD RHD on Jun 29, 2016

      “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” ― George Carlin Unfortunately, there are too many drivers who are not "reasonable persons". A pretty good percentage of the 266 crashes and 68 injuries are likely caused by those too lazy to figure out how the shift lever works or set the parking brake.

  • Jerome10 Jerome10 on Jun 29, 2016

    I have zero experience with this FCA shift lever. However, when I look at the operation, this seems nearly identical to the 2012 5 series I have often driven. There is the lock button on the side, push up for reverse, pull down for drive. Park is a button on the top of the shifter. The gear selection seems nearly identical to me, with the primary difference in the park select. The BMW returns to center with every selection as well. Is there something different about the BMW? Or are they having issues as well? Or the fact there is a dedicated PARK button makes all the difference over this FCA setup?

  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
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