Chrysler Recalls Almost 470,000 Jeep SUVs
Chrysler is recalling 469,000 Jeep SUVs worldwide because they can shift into neutral without warning on startup. The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Grand Cherokees and 2006 to 2010 Commanders.
U.S. safety regulators say cracks in a circuit board can cause a faulty signal as the SUVs are being started. If the vehicles shift into neutral they can roll away.
The company says the problem has caused 26 crashes and two injuries. The company will notify owners and dealers will update software to take care of the problem. Chrysler found cracks in a circuit board that turns the four-wheel-drive system on and off.
The company says in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Administration that it began looking into the problem after a customer complained that an SUV rolled away in January of 2012 after being started remotely.
Repairs will be made at no cost to owners. The recall covers 295,000
vehicles in the U.S., 28,500 in Canada, and 4,200 in Mexico. The
remaining 141,000 are outside North America. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software. The recall is expected to begin in June 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.