Owners of a handful of MY 2008 DaimlerChrysler products now have one thing in common with those who own certain General Motors models: An ignition-related recall.
Chrysler Group says 349,442 MY 2008 vehicles have ignitions where the switch remains stuck between the “ON” and “START” positions, or slips into “ACCESSORY” or “OFF”; the latter scenario cuts power to the engine, steering and air bags.
The affected were assembled before May 12, 2008, and consist of the following:
- Dodge: Charger, Magnum
- Chrysler: 300
- Jeep: Commander, Grand Cherokee
The recall covers 292,224 units in the United States, 18,976 in Canada, 4,947 in Mexico and 33,295 around the globe. Chrysler recommends removing everything from the ignition key, as well as confirming the switch is in the “ON” position after starting their vehicles, until affected owners are able to bring in their vehicle for free servicing.
A similar recall issued earlier this year affected 890,000 vehicles made between January 2007 and June 2010, where the switches also could slip from “ON” to “ACCESSORY.”
I received a notice in the mail this week my 2008 Grand Caravan is recalled for this issue. Strange the vans aren’t included on the above list.
You were probably the last part of the “earlier” recall mentioned at the bottom. The notices for this announced recall probably haven’t been sent yet, and will be parceled out in stages so the dealers aren’t swamped (“Be patient! take the stuff off your keyring and wait to get your notice.”)
The only time those 300s/Magnums will ever see a dealer, or any sort of maintenance. Aside from stick-on ventiports from AutoZone.
The stick-ons sold at Chrysler dealers are much higher quality than AutoZone. Some of the mods I’ve seen on 300s in San Diego would have voided the warranty, but the ignition switches on most of them likely have been replaced more than once. The big question in my neighborhood is about the wheels: chrome reverse or spinners?