The software fix for the affected vehicles includes warnings with a transmission-shift strategy to automatically prevent a vehicle from moving, under certain circumstances, even if the driver fails to select “PARK”.
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Fiat Chrysler officials confirmed that a software update-one first reported by Jalopnik’s David Tracy-will be implemented to keep the auto from inadvertently rolling away by automatically shifting into park when the driver opens the door and the vehicle isn’t moving.
Fiat Chrysler has not sent official recall notices to all owners yet, but the company says it’s too soon to know if that safety hazard actually led to Yelchin’s death.
Fiat Chrysler told dealers last month that a fix would be ready no later than July or August after initially telling owners a fix wouldn’t be ready until late this year.
Earlier this year Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.1m vehicles around the world over a confusing gear-shift lever.
The recall comes following the death of Anton Yelchin, known for his role as Pavel Chekov in the latest series of Star Trek films.
The new recall – filed with federal regulators June 8 and revealed Thursday – affects certain 2014 model-year Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles assembled from June 1, 2013, through February 28, 2014, according to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That recall was prompted by an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after complaints by vehicle owners and reports of dozens of related injuries. That specific Jeep model was under recall for “rollaway risk” after a faulty shift mechanism led drivers to believe the vehicle was in park rather than neutral.
Fiat Chrysler in April recalled more than 1 million cars, including the same model SUV as Yelchin’s, to address a faulty gear shift design. A vehicle that isn’t in Park can roll away and potentially injure or, in Yelchin’s case, kill someone. No determination has yet been made if the recall defect was to blame for Yelchin’s death.
The company didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether the recall covers any vehicles outside the United States.
Owners are advised to park their vehicles carefully. Since then, his “Star Trek” co-stars, as well as famous actor-singer Justin Timberlake had nothing but really nice things to say about him. The selected gear is conveyed to the driver by multiple sets of indicator lights.
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The young actor’s openness and angelic charm as both a stage and movie actor had gained him a number of followers.
