The death of Anton Yelchin has caused a “Star Trek: Beyond” event at Cannes to be canceled by Paramount Pitcures.
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But late last week, the company told dealers it was addressing the problem with a software update that would effectively immobilize the cars if there is no driver in place.
The Russian-born actor’s Jeep model had been recalled due to a unsafe design flaw that made it unclear if the auto was in park until the vehicle started rolling.
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.
The vehicles were recalled following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that identified more than 306 incidents of Grand Cherokees rolling away after the drivers meant to shift the vehicle into park.
A recalled 2015 Grand Cherokee was involved in Sunday’s death of Yelchin, 27, who was crushed when his vehicle rolled backward on the steep driveway of his Los Angeles home, pinning him against a brick wall and a fence. The vehicle rolled down the driveway and pinned the actor between itself, the security fence and the a brick pillar, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition to the 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokee, the recall included the 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans. The driver moves it forward or back to select a gear, but it then returns to its original upright position. FCA said that it knew of 41 injuries linked to the shifter.
Manley said today the automaker was already working to accelerate the recall process.
In the latest software fix, as reported by Jalopnik, it appears the electronically controlled shifter will automatically engage park if the driver fails to do so before attempting to exit the vehicle.
Police, however, are continuing their investigation to determine whether a design defect in the 2015 Jeep played a role in the accident.
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In May, Fiat Chrysler told NHTSA that a fix would be available in July.
