Dodge Recalls Police Cars with Faulty Gear Shift Cables
Dodge is recalling the Charger and Magnum police car models because of a defective gear shift cable. According to an article on Consumeraffairs.com, company officials say the gearshift cable may become disengaged causing an incorrect gearshift position display. This apparently could allow the vehicle to move without warning and potentially cause a crash.
Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable. The recall began on November 10, 2008. Owners with questions are asked to call 1-800-853-1403 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or visit their Web site at www.safercar.gov.
According to this news report, Chrysler has said it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or deaths related to this auto product recall. This recall actually comes after nine customer complaints and 55 field reports of problems with the 2007 Dodge Charger and Magnum police vehicles. The problem was first reported in September 2008 by the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland. The department complained that the police vehicles “appeared to be in park gear, but were actually in drive.”
Gear problems are among the most common auto product defects in addition to brake and tire defects. Unfortunately, these are serious product defects that could result in auto accidents that cause major injuries or even death. Accidents are likely to happen especially when a driver believes he or she has left the vehicle in “park.” We often see accidents where the defective gear causes the vehicle to roll and run over its own driver or other passers by.
Any time a manufacturer promptly recalls a defective product, that’s a good thing. A prompt defective product recall saves lives and prevents injuries. In this case, Chrysler did the right thing by recalling these faulty vehicles right away. The potential for accident and injury was particularly high with this one because these are police patrol cars, which are out in the community on a daily basis.
