The Dodge Dart rolled unceremoniously out of the Fiat Chrysler stable after the 2016 model year, but the automaker now worries it may roll out of owners’ driveways.
Fiat Chrysler is recalling 298,439 Darts in the United States, 20,117 in Canada, and 3,400 in Mexico to fix a shift cable that can detach from the transmission, potentially leaving the car stuck in a gear that isn’t “park.”
According to a recall report sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the callback covers all 2013 to 2016 Darts sold with a six-speed automatic transmission. Following numerous repair orders and consumer complaints related to the issue, FCA determined that the cable bushings in these cars can deteriorate due to heat and humidity, ultimately reaching the breaking point.
“If the shifter cable becomes detached from the transmission, the vehicle may
not perform the shifts intended by the driver,” the automaker wrote with dry understatement.
“The true transmission gear position will be displayed on the instrument cluster and on the display next to the shifter. In addition, if the driver’s door is opened while the transmission is not in PARK, the vehicle not in PARK and door ajar messages will display on the instrument cluster and audible chimes will sound. If these warnings are not heeded, unintended vehicle movement and vehicle crash can occur.”
The automaker claims no injuries or accidents have resulted from the issue.
Should the cable disconnect, drivers might discover that the shift lever moves more easily than normal. Owners are encouraged to always shut off the engine and engage the parking brake to prevent a sudden rollaway. Recall notifications should arrive in the mail on May 31st. Once returned to the dealer, technicians will install a more robust cable bushing.
Despite ceasing production in September 2016, new Darts are still leaving lots in the United States — a legacy of the unpopularity that signed its death warrant (and apparently left the automaker with a hefty inventory it couldn’t unload). FCA sold two Darts last month, eight this year, and 389 in 2018.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
I’ll have to warn my friend who owns one of these Farts, I mean Darts, seems he had a previous issue with it stalling also!
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fiatchrysler-recall-idUSKCN0XJ2I0
Seems FCA’s “Rollaway” problems aren’t completely exorcised, after all.
FCA: Never fails to disappoint.
IIRC, the 6-speed automatic in these comes from Hyundai. But it’s likely the shift cable is an FCA design.
Yeah I did some reading of reports from elsewhere, and it is pointing at the cable/cable mechanism.
So, no, not the same thing. But still another version of FCA “Rolling Chassis” haha.
S4itbox is s4itbox- film at 11.
The Hyundai version’s engine blows up. They install immaculate shifter cables, tho.
I don’t blame the Darts from tending to roll away. They probably just wanted to get to the junkyard a little quicker!
Honestly, I don’t ever recall much positive about them in any auto press.
I thought they styling was “blobby”, like a 1990s car. They seemed outdated from the git-go.
Either that or it’s Fiat Chryslers attempt to copy Tesla’s summon mode.
The Dart resembles a larger version of the Neon. I wonder if FCA decided to use that shape, or found some old plans for a compact version of the Neon left over from the pre-Daimler era?
With all these recalls the Big 3 have had to issue, it makes you wonder if it would be cheaper to just build sturdier vehicles.
And yes, there is an engineering discipline called “systems reliability” which is basically making things thin/sturdy enough to last an X number of years, and much of the reliability problems in a regular car is overzealous application of this practice, instead of slightly overengineering things to last.
Don’t these things usually roll out of owner’s driveways when the Black Ram 5500 Repo Truck of Inevitability hooks one by its plastic-dipped rear wheels?
Hahaha yes! A rare Flybrian post, and a gem at that!
Yes, the conveyances with the “NOT FOR HIRE” letting on the side.
FCA = DODGE testing. RAM it into production.
Good thing people always remember to set the parking break. Right people? Ummm…