Fiat Chrysler will pay up to $105 million in penalties and fines, and will buy back almost half a million recalled vehicles after an NHTSA investigation found the automobile manufacturer violated auto safety regulations. The fines include a $70 million cash payment, an agreement that Fiat Chrysler will spend $20 million improving its recall process and an additional $15 million payable if the automaker is found to have committed any further violations. Continue reading
Category Archives: Chrysler
Chrysler Software Vulnerable To Hacking
Some 2013-2015 Chrysler vehicles equipped with RA3 or RA4 model radios may have certain software vulnerabilities which could allow third party access to some vehicle control systems. If the system is exploited, an unauthorized remote modification could expose the driver, occupants, and other individuals within the proximity to a potential risk of injury. Although FCA US has determined that the defect is not a safety problem, it has decided to conduct a remedial campaign in the interest of protecting its customers. Continue reading
2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee Liftgate Control Module Short
Chrysler will be asking owners of certain 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. equipped with a power liftgate option, to return to their dealerships, after investigating complaints of fire in the liftgate area. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, water may enter the area of the Power Liftgate Control Module, causing a high resistance short circuit. Continue reading
2013 Fiat 500 Electric California Lemon Law Buyback
After leasing his 2013 Fiat 500 Electric in January 2014, the owner began experiencing repeated problems with his car. He had been taking the vehicle back in since February 2015 and had given his Fiat Chrysler (FCA) dealership five chances to try and repair his Fiat. His 500E had been out of service for over 32 days within the first 18,000 miles and the problems were still not fixed. Continue reading
Missing Airbag Bolts On 2015 Dodge Challenger
Chrysler will be asking a small number of 2015 Dodge Challenger owners to return to their dealers to repair a problem affecting the airbag system. Due to a manufacturing error, the driver side air bag inflated curtain (SABIC) may have a loose or missing rear mounting bolt. The missing bolt could alter the deployment of the bag, increasing the risk of injury during a side impact or roll over crash. Continue reading
Fiat Chrysler Investigated For Recall Deficiencies
In October 2014, the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an audit query to investigate the delays of recall campaigns 13V-528 and 13V-529, after owners complained about difficulty obtaining service appointments and part availability issues. The NHTSA experienced additional concerns with the administration, execution, and pace of an additional 22 safety recalls as a result of complaints from vehicle owners involving part availability issues, lack of notification, and misinformation from dealers. Continue reading
2014-2015 Ram 4500 & 5500 Improper Tire Ratings
Chrysler will be notifying owners of certain 2014-2015 Ram 4500 and 2014-2015 Ram 5500 trucks, equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines, about a safety problem that could result in unexpected tire failure. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles may have a maximum governed speed of 106 mph but are equipped with tires that are only rated for 87 mph. Operating the vehicle at speeds above the maximum tire speed rating could result in tire failure and increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
2013-2015 Fiat 500 Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
In April 2015, Fiat’s Vehicle Safety And Regulatory Compliance deportment began an investigation into certain 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles after receiving warranty reports of loss of driving power. A review of the problem found that rapid operation of the cruise control speed adjustment switch or accelerator pedal application, while in cruise control, may set a diagnostic trouble code in the Elective Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU). This code will will force the vehicle into safe mode and automatically shift the vehicle into neutral. Once the fault code is set, a key cycle is required to allow the vehicle to shift out of neutral. Continue reading
