US investigates 1million Fiat Chrysler vehicles for roll-away crashes

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching an examination concerning around 1 million more up to date Fiat Chrysler Ram pickup trucks and SUVs in the wake of receiving complaints the vehicles rolled away subsequent to being parked, it said on Tuesday.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it is collaborating with the government examination that covers the 2013-2016 model year Ram 1500 pickup truck and 2014-2016 Dodge Durango SUV.

The vehicles under scrutiny have an electronic rotary control for driver gear selections that is distinctive to the shifter that Fiat Chrysler reviewed not long ago for roll away issues.

In the new examination, the federal says Rams and Durangos have dial-like rotating handle shifters that are connected electronically to the transmission. The handles are swung to the left or right and have detents that click into gear.

The issue in the reviewed Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs has been tied to no less than 68 injuries.

“Notably, none of the reports indicate that the parking brake was engaged at the time of the rollaway incident,” NHTSA said in the documents. Fiat Chrysler says it’s cooperating with the investigation, and it joined NHTSA is urging drivers to always use parking brakes when they stop vehicles.

Gear selection is passed on to drivers by indicator lights, not gear selector position, which may lead drivers to dishonestly expect vehicles are in park. Vehicles convey cautioning chimes and messages if side doors are opened while engines are as yet running and park is not locked in.

The vehicle business has developed new transmissions with the gear selection controlled electronically.