[eye30]

Fiat Chrysler is to recall 1.1 million vehicles worldwide over fears they may roll away after drivers get out.

There have been as many as 41 injuries because drivers mistakenly believed they had put the automatic cars in "park".

The recall covers cars and SUVs whose gearshifts could be confusing to drivers.

More than 850,000 vehicles in North America are affected, along with just over 250,000 elsewhere.

The affected models include 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and 2014/15 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36117557

[Shambles]

They're just taking the P...

[Trazza]

At this rate,  I can see why driverless automobiles are going to be pursued by the car manufacturers. Just wonder who would have given these idiots a driver's licence in the first place??   

[tla]

Too bad that link didn't describe how the shifter actually worked.

This link goes into better detail: NHTSA: People Can't Figure Out How to Shift Fiat Chryslers Into Park

In summary:

The investigation involves 3.6-liter V6-powered 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees, 2012-2014 Dodge Chargers and 2012-2014 Chrysler 300s—all of which use a push-button console shift lever that looks like a traditional PRNDL shifter. But in operation, the electronic shifter works more like a joystick, returning to its center position once you've selected your gear. There is no gate around the shifter; the lever itself moves through somewhat subtle detents, and the whole range of motion is incredibly short compared to a traditional mechanical shifter, perhaps two or three inches from end to end.

So while it may seem silly that drivers could be confused by the operation of an automatic transmission, the reality is that this shifter design operates differently enough to require more concentration than a traditional shifter. Folks who've been driving for years, who are used to the way a mechanical PRNDL shifter operates, probably don't think consciously about the act of shifting—it's the kind of act we've committed to muscle memory years ago.

[Trazza]

Too bad that link didn't describe how the shifter actually worked.

This link goes into better detail: NHTSA: People Can't Figure Out How to Shift Fiat Chryslers Into Park

In summary:

The investigation involves 3.6-liter V6-powered 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees, 2012-2014 Dodge Chargers and 2012-2014 Chrysler 300s—all of which use a push-button console shift lever that looks like a traditional PRNDL shifter. But in operation, the electronic shifter works more like a joystick, returning to its center position once you've selected your gear. There is no gate around the shifter; the lever itself moves through somewhat subtle detents, and the whole range of motion is incredibly short compared to a traditional mechanical shifter, perhaps two or three inches from end to end.

So while it may seem silly that drivers could be confused by the operation of an automatic transmission, the reality is that this shifter design operates differently enough to require more concentration than a traditional shifter. Folks who've been driving for years, who are used to the way a mechanical PRNDL shifter operates, probably don't think consciously about the act of shifting—it's the kind of act we've committed to muscle memory years ago.

Thanks, but I am not convinced. I'd say it's a fair cop if it's based solely on the shifter being unusual to standard,  but it's not as though the driver isn't given a heads up display. 

  2013 Chrysler 300 Electronic Shifter - YouTube.       

ALL care,  no responsibility.

[tla]

In an ideal world, I would agree with you.  But, we're talking about humans here, with their eccentricities and sometimes irrational behaviour.

When driving in the U.S. I know that the indicator switch is on the left stalk, but for the first few times when indicating I will use the right stalk and turn on the wipers: muscle memory.     Luckily, I remember to drive on the right side of the road.   

I think the Chrysler's system is too similar to the standard auto shifter.    I can understand how people might end up in reverse when they had intended to put it in park, just by not holding it in the top position long enough.    Especially, if that car was totally new to them, such as with a loaner.

[Phil №❶]

Took me a while to put the i30 into park when I was test driving it. Personally, I can't see any problem with a new innovation, just got to learn to use it properly.

[Surferdude]

Took me a while to put the i30 into park when I was test driving it. Personally, I can't see any problem with a new innovation, just got to learn to use it properly.

Yeah Phil,
But we ARE talking about Americans.

[Trazza]

Fair enough,  tla! . . . You've won me over to assigning blame on the manufacturer! 

[beerman]

Wasn't there a Yank who put a RV into cruise control then went out back to make a coffee..... 

I would have thought even if you left the car in D, with the handbrake engaged it wouldn't roll away.

[wbm00]

Fiat Chrysler is to recall 1.1 million vehicles worldwide over fears they may roll away after drivers get out.

If it rolls away, it'll at least dull the shame of having a Fiat parked outside the house.

[Dazzler]

Fiat Chrysler is to recall 1.1 million vehicles worldwide over fears they may roll away after drivers get out.

If it rolls away, it'll at least dull the shame of having a Fiat parked outside the house.

 

[ibrokeit]

Wasn't there a Yank who put a RV into cruise control then went out back to make a coffee..... 

I would have thought even if you left the car in D, with the handbrake engaged it wouldn't roll away.

Ahh - but that is just it... many Americans don't have a handbrake... they have an Emergency Brake - which you only use in emergencies of course!!!  

And while I say that partly in jest - there are plenty of people (around the world) who don't use the handbrake esp. when on 'flat' ground.