Art of Gears
Fansided

FCA Recalls 4.8 Million Cars Due To Cruise Control Issues

By Billy Ho

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 22: 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are seen on a sales lot as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced that it is recalling more than 1.1 million cars and SUVs worldwide because the vehicles may roll away after drivers exit the vehicles on April 22, 2016 in Miami, Florida. The recall covers the 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 22: 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are seen on a sales lot as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced that it is recalling more than 1.1 million cars and SUVs worldwide because the vehicles may roll away after drivers exit the vehicles on April 22, 2016 in Miami, Florida. The recall covers the 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) recalls 4.8 million vehicles across its brands due to a cruise control issue. The problem, potentially deadly, hits Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles.

The old joke is that FCA and problems go hand-in-hand. But like any mass recall, this is no laughing matter. FCA has issued a recall to millions of their vehicles across North America citing issues with their cruise control.

The recall states that customers may find their cruise control can become stuck, with drivers unable to switch them off easily. FCA has said that the cruise control function could potentially stay engaged during acceleration due to a short circuit. More frighteningly, FCA have said that the cruise control would not disengage if a driver hits the brakes, and that only after the car is shifted into neutral that applying brakes would decelerate the car.

While reports stating a short circuit have been vague on the cause, one outlet is claiming that rodents were the cause of the initial problem. Rats!

Company-Wide Woes

The list of affected vehicles range from model years 2014 until 2018:

  • 2015-2017 Chrysler 200
  • 2014-2018 Chrysler 300
  • 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica
  • 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger
  • 2014-2018 Dodge Charger
  • 2014-2018 Dodge Journey
  • 2014-2018 Dodge Durango
  • 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokee
  • 2014-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2018 Jeep Wrangler
  • 2014-2019 Ram 1500
  • 2014-2018 Ram 2500
  • 2014-2018 Ram 3500
  • 2014-2018 Ram 3500 cab chassis
  • 2014-2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis

While initially thought to be limited to North America, Australian owners of FCA products are now being warned of the issue. According to SBS News, there are currently no known incidents or injuries reported so far. Even so, the company is taking the pre-emptive step amid concerns that the cars are not slowing down automatically when engaged in cruise control mode.

Where’s the info?

Information regarding the recall has been limited from FCA. However, it seems that a fix and official steps to address the issue are still being worked out and are due soon. In the interim, FCA have been telling customers to stop using their cruise control in affected vehicles until further notice.

According to The Wall Street Journal,

"“Notwithstanding the extraordinary circumstances that must exist before a customer would experience a problem, we are taking this action because we are fully committed to vehicle safety,” said Mark Chernoby, Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. head of vehicle safety and regulatory compliance."

Next: Marchi Mobile‘s eleMMent Palazzo Superior RV Is So Extra

Check out the video clip below to see what Consumer Reports suggests you do if your vehicle has been affected by this recall.

Are you an FCA vehicle owner? Do FCA’s ongoing issues put a damper on owning one of their vehicles? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Home/Car News