Both Fiat and Chrysler have issued a recall that affects over 1.1 million vehicles because the drivers can’t tell if the car or SUV is in PARK properly. The safety recall involves an issue with the shift lever, and has resulted in several cases of damage and injury already. Problems with the electronic shift lever can lead to driver confusion. When the driver parks their vehicle, the issue can lead to your Chrysler vehicle rolling away well after you’ve walked away.
The electronic shifter mechanism was found to be vague and poorly designed, according to the NHTSA. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deemed that the shifter was “not intuitive and provides poor tactile feedback to the driver.” The Chrysler parking recall affects over 800,000 vehicles in the US and more than 50,000 in Canada.
With over 121 reports of crashes related to the Chrysler parking recall, the NHTSA has several updates to the ongoing issue. There’s also been over 40 reported injuries from the Chrysler parking recall.
Affected vehicles include the 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and the 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. These vehicles require you to push the lever forward three times in order to park it. There’s a chime and warning that should illuminate in the instrument cluster should the vehicle not be in PARK.
This new shifter mechanism was put in place by FCA in 2015. Replacing the old style shifter in the Charger and then the 300, Jeep updated the Cherokee shifter shortly thereafter.
The recent Fiat Chrysler recall is yet another black mark in an otherwise very busy year as far as automotive safety recalls. The largest automotive recall in US history is still ongoing with no end in sight.
If you own a late model Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep and want to know if the Chrysler parking recall affects you, check with your local dealer. You can also stay up to date with all the latest in automotive recalls at safercar.gov. Chrysler will be updating owners in regards to the Chrysler parking recall and notifying them of when to bring in their vehicle. Dealers will then install a new shifter device and additional safety measures to stop the roll away issue.
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