FCA Recalling 2017 Dodge Challengers Over Rollaway Problem
After a high-profile recall of over 1 million vehicles due to a design flaw associated with the shifter used with the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, Fiat Chrysler probably felt it was in the clear as far as rollaway risks were concerned. Unfortunately, FCA is now recalling 2017 Dodge Challengers with instrumentation that might erroneously indicate the vehicle is in park — creating another potential rollaway hazard.
The affected vehicles have 5.7-liter V8 engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions. In total, Dodge expects the necessary fix to pertain to 7,802 vehicles in the United States, 390 in Canada, and 119 more outside of North America.
According to Automotive News, drivers of the vehicles can shift the vehicles into park while the motor is running without the vehicle’s brake actually engaging. Affected cars may even indicate via the shifter and gauge display that the vehicle is in park, without it actually being so.
Since all modern Challengers are outfitted with software that automatically places the car in park when the engine is stopped, there have been no reported incidents. However, a driver who stepped out of the vehicle while it was still running could be forced to go chasing after it.
FCA said in a statement it is also unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem, adding that the recall is unrelated to any previous campaign — including the seemingly similar one from 2016.
[Image: FCA]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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2.7 million more vehicles recalled for explosive Takata air bags. Nissan, Ford, and Mazda. Alas, Ford and Mazda likely kept this recall off the pages of TTAC. http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/ct-takata-air-bag-recall-expands-20170712-story.html
"Since all modern Challengers are outfitted with software that automatically places the car in park when the engine is stopped..." Yeah, that doesn't sound like it could be easily hacked through UConnect at all.....
"After a high-profile recall of over 1 million vehicles due to a design flaw associated with the shifter used with the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission," Wow, no biased reporting in that sentence. There is no design flaw. The shifter works exactly as designed. But because some b-list actor died because he chose not to secure his vehicle before exiting, we have to blame evil Chrysler.
I've been on TTAC from almost the start. I don't want to go spelunking through the posts over all of those years to prove it, but you are a fool if you think that TTAC has not shown bias. The GM-bashing here has been especially prominent.