Fiat Chrysler says it is recalling 1.1 million vehicles worldwide, including 811,586 midsize SUVs and full-size cars in the U.S., to try to alleviate confusion about when the vehicle’s automatic transmission is in the “park” position, which has resulted in 41 injuries.
Drivers have been getting out of the vehicles without shifting into park while the engine is still running. The problem involves vehicles with electronic shift levers on their consoles that spring back to the same position after being shifted. Drivers can’t tell by looking at the shifter’s position whether it is in park. Instead, they have to depend on indicator lights, Fiat Chrysler says.
In the U.S., the recall involves certain 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. The recall will include an estimated 52,144 vehicles in Canada, 16,805 in Mexico, and 248,667 elsewhere outside the U.S.
The recall results from an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which was joined by Fiat Chrysler. It appears to have acted on complaints.
