If you’re the proud owner of a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger, Challenger, or Chrysler 300, you probably love getting that sweet baby up to highway speeds in a hurry. However, you’re also likely fond of having the ability to stop it whenever you wish and not entering into a real-life version of the movie Speed.
We’ve got some unfortunate news. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, you might have to take a couple of extra steps to avoid that being a possibility. Fiat Chrysler has issued a recall on 2014-2016 Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers, and Dodge Challengers equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 and Mopar Stage 1 Performance Package powertrain control module. The 2018 Challenger SRT Demon is also affected by the recall.
Apparently, the PCM is sick and could screw with the cruise control system. You’ll definitely want to get this one fixed as soon as possible. FCA claims the defect may not just prohibit cruise control from disengaging — there’s also a possibility it could cause the car to accelerate unpredictably. That’s about the last thing you want an 800-horsepower car to do without you giving it the go-ahead.
FCA claims only 1,930 vehicles are affected, but a similar recall in May encompassed around 4.8 million vehicles produced by the company. At the time, the NHTSA recommended drivers suspend their use of cruise control until the manufacturer conducts repairs, while FCA told drivers they could put the vehicle in neutral if things got weird.
It’s issuing a similar recommendation this time, noting that drivers will receive no warning before the cruise control system malfunctions. However, the dashboard might light up like a Christmas tree when the shit hits the fan. FCA says a flub in the powertrain control module’s wiring will make hitting the brakes pointless while the vehicle is in gear. Trying to shut the system off manually will be equally futile.
Fortunately, it should be a relatively simple fix. All Chrysler and Dodge dealers have to do is update the software or replace the PCM. The NHTSA says FCA should begin notifying owners on August 31st, 2018. However, if you want to get a jump on things, you call the automaker at 800-853-1403. You’re also welcome to hit up the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its webpage.
[Image: FCA]
If this was Ford, they’d try to litigate this and lie, like they did when a relay switch to deactivate the cruise control on 16 million vehicles caused fires and killed’people and burned down homes and businesses when DpFord/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles spontaneously burst into fires’hours AFTER vehicles were shut off (and parked in garages, etc.):
“…In collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford Motor Company has announced a recall alerting owners about a possible fire hazard in 4.5 million older Ford model vehicles. This new recall is the eighth involving a total of approximately 16 million Ford vehicles equipped with a faaulty cruise control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments. The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, then overheat, smoke or burn, potentially causing vehicle fires–even with the engine is turned off, vehicle parked, or left unattended.”
consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/10/ford-recalls-4-5-million-vehicles-over-fire-hazard/index.htm
I knew someone with an Exploder…errr Explorer whose 2.3’million dollar’s burnt to the ground directly as a result of this problem. She was lucky that she made it out alive.
“NHTSA warns consumers to be aware of certain vehicle conditions that could signal a possible problem, such as a cruise control system that stops working or can’t be activated, brake lights that stop working, brake lights and ABS warning lights that illuminate on the dashboard, or the inability to shift the vehicle out of the park position. NHTSA also warns owners to not park the vehicle in garages or near homes until a repair is made.
The problem affects the vehicles listed below.
1995-2003 Ford Windstar
2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel
1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford Super Duty diesel
1992-2003 Ford Econoline
1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer
1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
1994 Ford F53 motor home”
Ford and Lincoln -‘Quality is a bad joke and f*ck you and sucks to be you if you buy one of our total’Pieces of Sh*t.
Man, DW, I hope you ride a bicycle, or maybe a horse, because there isn’t a car company on this planet that you don’t hate with unbridled passion.
When your favorite car company has a dangerous recall, baby rage and deflect.
Deflection only works when the company you’re deflecting from has a spotless record.
http://thecooperfirm.com/nhtsa-talks-of-punishment-for-fiat-chrysler-at-public-hearing/
https://one.nhtsa.gov/About-NHTSA/Press-Releases/nhtsa_fiat_chrysler_enforcement_action_07262015
https://carbuzz.com/news/fca-was-just-handed-a-70-million-civil-penalty-by-the-nhtsa
Now, have another shot (or 4) and rant more. GRRRRRRRRR! LMAO
Had a bad day DW?
>Fiat Chrysler Recalling V8s Over Stuck Cruise Control, Sudden Acceleration…
Like I said on many occasions:
FCA = Dodge testing, RAM it into production.
Wait, this isnt a Ford recall? OMG OMG OMG NOT a FORD recall everyone! Amazing I thought only Ford(and their suppliers) made mistakes when manufacturing millions of cars! Well, at least its not another designed in people killing hid from the public GM recall, amiriteguiz?
They aren’t mistakes! Don’t you know they do it on purpose? Just to try to kill as many people as they can, they sit around thinking up ways in which a car can catch on fire to burn multi-million dollar homes and murder innocent people. Because vehicles themselves are not complex, they don’t have many systems and none of those systems can ever default without being programmed to do so.
Unless it isn’t a Ford. Ask Sub-HELLCAT@youtube, he’ll tell you.
Ha, I KNEW it!
“Because vehicles themselves are not complex, they don’t have many systems and none of those systems can ever default without being programmed to do so”
Sarcasm I know, but to your point which I think is that we should cut them some slack, cars are complex systems that can be challenging even for the designers to understand fully. This is true, and maybe we should. But don’t forget…
“…simplicity should be a key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.”
a good article that goes into more detail: https://effectivesoftwaredesign.com/2013/08/05/simplicity-in-software-design-kiss-yagni-and-occams-razor/
Manufactures don’t always follow this as closely as they follow the bottom line. With the daily promises of highly complex autonomous vehicles on the horizon, I genuinely hope they are applying these principles into their design.
Looks like we have found a trigger much worse than that of Cadillac!
Yes, the permanently outraged needs a fix and Ford is the drug
“the permanently outraged”
Nothing going on in USA politics today?
>“the permanently outraged”
> Nothing going on in USA politics today?
If that’s the case, then the two largest adult middle-school cliques must be extremely bored.
“two largest adult middle-school cliques”
Do tell?
>Yes, the permanently outraged needs a fix and Ford is the drug
Like speed.
Some people just need a reason to feel relevant, so they’re OUTRAGED!!!!!!!!! about anything that they can garner attention from.
FORD HAS THE WORST DEALERS THAT RAPE EVERYONE!!! ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE AWFUL AND DEADLY!!!!!! THEY’RE ALL EVIL AND MUST BE STOPPED!!!!! RARRRRR!!!!!!! NOBODY BUYS THEIR VEHICLES!!!! EVERY QUALTIY SURVEY RANKS THEM BELOW YUGO!!!!! AND IF YOU LIKE THEM, I’LL FOLLOW YOU AROUND AND KEEP TRACK OF WHEN YOU POST AND HOW MUCH AND EVERYTHING BUT WHAT YOU ACTUALLY SAY (I can make it up much better to “prove” my ignorant assumptions)!!!!!!!
I like Fords, am I in trouble?
Impossible, nobody has ever had a Ford and liked it. Nobody. Ever.
I don’t understand why you keep arguing with these guys.
JohnTaurus likes drama Real Housewives style.
That’s not an insult but just an observation that I’m sure many would agree with.
I like John despite his penchant for drama and flair.
Right DW, absolutely no drama from your camp… (roll eyes)
Unless you colluded with Ford, which can be easily proved if throw tens of millions of your favorite currency on it.
> I like Fords, am I in trouble?
Comments in this forum have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Furthermore, said comments are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder.
Side effects include….
Interesting. There’s a similar recall that affects my Pentastar-equipped 2015 Grand Cherokee. I just scheduled the service visit earlier today.
“my Pentastar-equipped 2015 Grand Cherokee”
Cool. Welcome to the FCA lifestyle.
Did you go ace-of-base or mega-loaded?
Ace of Base?! Me?! Surely you jest, haha. I’ve never even had a car with cloth upholstery, or without a sunroof. Not even my 1990 Accord, which was older than I was.
It’s a 2015 Overland. It’s RWD and doesn’t have the driving aids, other than a backup camera and rear parking sensors, but it does have the towing package, an upgraded sound system, and rear dual DVD players. I’m pretty impressed with it. It feels like the GLE-Class that it shares a platform with, but for a lot less money and with easier maintenance. It makes the X5 (I was probably going to buy) feel like a really stupid idea (as it should). I’m even impressed that the 20-inch wheels don’t require ridiculously-expensive tires, thanks to there being plenty of sidewall. I also love Uconnect; I understand the version in the 2018 cars is even better.
#NORAGRETS
P.S. I did consider a same-vintage diesel-equipped model, but didn’t feel that the oil-burning engine outweighed the disadvantages and price differential.
All this FCA V8 thing boils down to: It is Ford’s fault, how can we punish Ford and Cadillac and what to do about it. Add to the mix Buick death watch too. And while we are on it – kill Chevrolet and GMC. Oh, did I mention Lincoln? It is almost dead anyway but if not yet – kill it too.
Are we sure this isn’t just a publicity stunt? You know, like those VW GTI commercials where the evil “fast” creature was making people go too fast. Only this time, it actually happens!
Hmm another recall another day. As someone who owns a Jaguar can I just point out Ive never had a recall on it. I have on BMWs and Mini’s and I we it a lot on Toyota and US makes.
The last one on my BMW was to do with the wiring loom catching fire when the Air Con was on full blast. These are safety related issues and in my view should send a car maker to the absoilute bottom of league tables for reliability. If that happened I think some car makers would be in very different positions on league tables, though I predict Tesla would still finish last.
Did I read this article right… FYI, it is not just the V8 equipped cars:
I own a 2016 AWD 300S with the Pentastar V6 and I recently received a safety recall mailer & Dealer text message that my car is effected by this same thing and I should schedule an appointment for the recall service.
Guess maybe they consider it 2 different recalls then.
It’s stated in the article with a link…
“but a similar recall in May encompassed around 4.8 million vehicles produced by the company.”
Serious question.
“FCA told drivers they could put the vehicle in neutral if things got weird.”
To be fair, that’s the answer I’ve read all my life for any brand of car.
Anyone ever have to do that?
I had a POS Saab with a manual transmission back in the 70s. It didn’t have cruise but the throttle would stick. Going into neutral would send the engine to red line. God, I hated that thing. It was a very big deal in stop and go traffic. I used to leave a ton of space in front of me because if it happened in traffic I could slam into the car in front of me. That’s one car company where I laughed when it folded.
“there’s also a possibility it could cause the car to accelerate unpredictably. That’s about the last thing you want an 800-horsepower car to do without you giving it the go-ahead.”
WAHOOOOOOO!!!