Regulators have been conducting an investigation into Fiat Chrysler after receiving complaints of some of their vehicles reportedly rolling away when the driver exited the car.
Some one million Fiat Chrysler Ram 15000 pickup trucks and Dodge Durango vehicles are affected by what is believed to be a defective rotary shifter. In a bit to add a new dimension to cars (and to free space for more/larger cup holders and storage areas), Fiat Chrysler moved away from traditional mechanical gear-shifts in favour of smaller electronic versions.
However, some customers have reportedly found it difficult to use the new feature, with many suspected to not even be aware of how to use it as intended.
The electronic rotary control can be put into ‘park mode’ but doesn’t engage a separate parking (hand) brake, so the car may still move. Most of the complaints brought forward were because the driver had taken their seat belt off and exited the vehicle whilst believing it to be ‘parked’ electronically.
Two Fiat Chrysler cars and some other cars made by other manufacturers have a safety mechanism as a failsafe: taking the driver seatbelt off and opening the door will activate the park braking system. However, this technology was apparently not included with the Ram and Durango models.
Dozens of complaints have been made, and crashes and injuries from accidents have been reported.
This issue came not long after Fiat Chrysler recalled their Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger’s in 2014.
With these cars, 266 crashes were reported and 68 people injured, including the death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin.
The 27-year-old actor was tragically found dead whilst pinned against a brick mailbox pillar and metal gate in the driveway of his Californian home.
It’s assumed he ‘parked’ the car, exited and then the car rolled straight into him, crushing his lungs. His “blunt traumatic asphyxia” lead to his parents suing Fiat Chrysler and the car dealership who sold him the car. Fiat Chrysler offered their “most sincere condolences” but said that Yelchin’s death was his own fault because of his “misuse, misapplication, or damage”.
Some 1.1 million cars were recalled worldwide.