Chrysler recalls 1.1 million vehicles to repair confusing shifter design
Ever had trouble getting your Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep into park? It might not be your fault.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced Friday afternoon that it is voluntarily recalling 1.1 million vehicles worldwide (811,586 in the U.S.) to repair a confusing shifter, which has caused 41 injuries to date.
You May Also Like
The recalled vehicles span 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and model-year 2014 to 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.
The models were fitted with an electronic automatic transmission shifter that has been confusing drivers. What's so confusing about the shifter operation? Here's how FCA explains the shifter's operation, "Gear-selection is conveyed to the driver by multiple sets of indicator lights, not gear-selector position."
As someone who's used the shifter, here's how I'd describe it: No matter what you did, it was never quite clear how to move the shifter handle in such a way that you could consistently engage Park. Sometime a jostle of the shifter would grab Neutral. Other times it would engage Reverse. Often, you'd just have to move it back and forth a couple times until the P for Park was illuminated.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted for the recall and repair. In the meantime, FCA encourages drivers to "follow the instructions in their owners’ manuals."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Cars
