By Jake Lingeman, Crain News Service
DETROIT (March 17, 2014) — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles — that's going to get annoying — announced a voluntary recall of the 2014 Fiat 500L for a problem with the six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The auto maker also recalled the 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango for a problem with the braking system.
With the Fiat, the transmission can be slow to shift out of park or to engage other gears. A microcontroller can also fail at certain temperatures, Chrysler said. Dealers can install a software update to correct the problem, but a few cars might need to have the module replaced. About 18,000 cars are affected.
In the Grand Cherokee and Durango, Chrysler said there might not be enough brake fluid in the system, which could cause the pedal to feel soft, especially during a panic stop.
This will also require a software update to the car, including its Ready Alert Braking system, which primes the brakes during a hard stop. Chrysler said the update will “restore appropriate pedal feel.” About 18,700 SUVs are affected in the U.S.
Chrysler didn't specify when the repairs will start; owners can call the company's customer service line at 800-853-1403 for more details.
This report appeared on the website of Crain's Autoweek magazine, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.