In recent years, the automobile industry has been dogged with a series of recalls after glitches that caused deaths and serious injuries were discovered. Recently, Fiat Chrysler announced the recall of 4.8 million vehicles over a cruise control software issue.
The glitch means cars may become stuck in cruise control. The notion of not being able to slow down is a terrifying one. However, the carmaker said no injuries were reported.
The issue can be triggered if a car accelerates while operating under cruise control. This may happen when it’s climbing a hill. The acceleration can cause a short circuit.
The short circuit means the vehicle can become locked in cruise control, reported CNN. Usually, when a driver wants to disable cruise control, he or she taps on the brakes or hits a designated switch. Neither method works in getting the car out of cruise control if the glitch kicks in, according to Fiat Chrysler.
Cruise control software issue leads to Fiat Chrysler recall
However, drivers should still be able to slow down or stop their vehicles by hitting the brakes, shifting into neutral, or both methods.
Fiat Chrysler has requested owners of recalled vehicles affected by the cruise control software issue to bring them to dealerships for a no-cost software update that can stop the short circuit occurring. The company has asked drivers of the named vehicles to avoid using cruise control.
The recall includes 15 different gasoline-powered vehicles, such as the Jeep Cherokee SUV and the Dodge Ram with automatic transmissions, made between 2014 and 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mark Chernoby, Chief Technical Compliance Officer and Head of Vehicle Safety & Regulatory Compliance, said in a statement released by Fiat Chrysler:
“Notwithstanding the extraordinary circumstances that must exist before a customer would experience a problem, we are taking this action because we are fully committed to vehicle safety.”
Although most car accidents are caused by driver negligence, automobile defects have caused serious injury and loss of life.
A defect involving Takata air bags has led to 13 deaths and the recall of more than 40 million cars. The airbags are liable to explode in certain conditions, sending shrapnel into drivers and passengers.
If you have been harmed by a defective car, please call our Georgia auto accident lawyers at (404) 913-1529.