Confusing Fiat Chrysler Gear Shifter Linked to 266 Crashes

Auburn Hills, MI — Some 266 crashes that injured 68 people have been linked to the confusing gear shifters like the one in the Jeep Grand Cherokee that rolled down a driveway and killed “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin, the government said Tuesday.

The U.S.National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the findings of the investigation in a document posted on its website Tuesday. The investigation into the defect closed Friday after Fiat Chrysler agreed to recall 1.1 million vehicles.

There were 686 consumer complaints associated with the shifters, which confused drivers about whether they were in park or in gear.

Yelchin was killed at his Studio City, California, home Sunday, police said, after momentarily exiting his 2015 Grand Cherokee. It rolled backward down a steep driveway and crushed him against a brick mailbox and a security fence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Jenny Houser.

Fiat-Chrysler Recalling 1.1M Vehicles Over Confusing Shifter

'Star Trek' Actor Anton Yelchin Killed in Car Accident

Jeep That Killed ‘Star Trek’ Actor Had Been Recalled

Fiat Chrysler, which owns Jeep, issued a recall notice to drivers in April about the transmission. Among those complaining about the problem was a driver in Rochester Hills, who reported confusion about whether the vehicle was in park or in reverse.

“Intending to back into my driveway, I shifted into reverse,” the individual wrote in a complaint. “The vehicle was not in reverse and crashed into the vehicle that was parked … across the street.”

NEWSLETTER & REAL-TIME NEWS ALERTS: Get the Top Michigan Headlines from Patch Editor Beth Dalbey

After changing gears, the car's gearshift springs back to the middle. Gear-selection is shown by indicator lights, not the position of the shifter. That could leave drivers confused about what gear they are actually in, the notice said.

The company also urged drivers to make doubly sure they are in park when getting out of their car.

“ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle is in ‘PARK’ by looking for the ‘P’ in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or on the shift lever knob,” the recall notice said. “Always fully apply the parking brake before exiting the vehicle.”

A fix to the issue was originally scheduled for no later than the 2016 fourth quarter, but that timeline was pushed up to July or August of 2016. The solution “will combine warnings with a transmission-shift strategy to automatically prevent a vehicle from moving, under certain circumstances, even if the driver fails to select ‘PARK,’” a Fiat Chrysler press release said.

Police have not yet determined the exact cause of the accident. The NHTSA did not immediately return a request for comment from Patch but told The New York Times, “This the first fatality we’re aware of that may be related to this safety defect and vehicle recall.”

In a statement about Yelchin's death, Fiat Chrysler said, “It is premature to speculate on its cause at this time.”

“FCA US extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin,” the statement said. “The Company will be conducting a thorough investigation of this tragic incident.”

MORE RECALL NEWS: Volkswagen Emissions-Cheating Settlement: $14.7 Billion; Buybacks For Owners

Among the affected vehicles are certain Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans from model years 2012 to 2014, and 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.

About 52,144 vehicles in Canada, 16,805 in Mexico and 248,667 elsewhere outside of the United States are also affected.

(Marc Torrence of Patch.com’s National Desk and City News Service contributed to this report.)

Image via Wikimedia Commons