Photo: Dodge
Chrysler just found out the meaning of the expression ‘when it rains it pours’ after their recall on faulty ignition switches backfired, forcing them to find another solution to the problem.
Last summer, Chrysler reported that almost 700,000 vehicles were being called back due to an issue with the ignition turn-off. The affected population of cars were assembled from August 2nd 2009 to June 17th 2010, with around 525,000 models being located in the US and Canada alone.
The recall is now being revised by Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and things are not looking rosy for the carmaker, as owners will have to completely replace the ignition switches. At the time of the first recall, the issue was caused by the key: although it looked to be in the ‘Run’ position, in some cases it was not fully engaged. In case the key slipped and an accident happened, the airbags would not be deployed.
As a solution, the company came up with installing a new detent ring but now it looks like there’s a faster and more efficient way of resolving the issue. After the NHTSA and FCA US continued to look into the problem, they found out that replacing the whole ignition switch could take less time and effort than creating a new ring design and the relevant updated software.
The vehicles affected by the glitch are the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey. Chrysler will notify owners for a second time in April 2015 and dealers will replace the ignition switch and the key fobs free of charge.
The recall is now being revised by Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and things are not looking rosy for the carmaker, as owners will have to completely replace the ignition switches. At the time of the first recall, the issue was caused by the key: although it looked to be in the ‘Run’ position, in some cases it was not fully engaged. In case the key slipped and an accident happened, the airbags would not be deployed.
As a solution, the company came up with installing a new detent ring but now it looks like there’s a faster and more efficient way of resolving the issue. After the NHTSA and FCA US continued to look into the problem, they found out that replacing the whole ignition switch could take less time and effort than creating a new ring design and the relevant updated software.
The vehicles affected by the glitch are the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey. Chrysler will notify owners for a second time in April 2015 and dealers will replace the ignition switch and the key fobs free of charge.
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