2.4l 4 Cyl 4wd Four Wheel Drive Heated Leather Power Windows 1 One Owner Mirrors on 2040-cars

Auto blog

NHTSA closes investigation on 4.7M FCA power modules, no recall

FCA US hasn't had the best time with recalls as of late. Not only did the company recently agree to greater safety oversight and paid $105 million to the government, that came just days after hacking fears prompted a 1.4-million model recall campaign. However, a recent decision to close an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration means that the automaker doesn't have to worry about another major recall possibly affecting 4.7 million vehicles, according to the agency's report (as a PDF). Last September, the Center for Auto Safety petitioned NHTSA to investigate an alleged problem with the totally integrated power module (TIPM) on these FCA US models. The group claimed that a fault with the component could cause a variety of maladies, including stalls, not starting, catching fire, unintended acceleration, and airbag non-deployment. At the time, it also submitted 70 cases where this had reportedly happened. According to NHTSA, "no valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components." The agency did find signs of an issue with the fuel pump relay in some Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos, but FCA US issued recalls for the problem in September 2014 and February 2015. Without anything else to go on, the Feds don't think it's worth investigating this topic any more.

You probably won't see FCA's famous Easter eggs on an Alfa Romeo

They started in Jeeps, with images of seven-slot grilles showing up on windshield edges, the text "SINCE 1941" appearing in the clear plastic of headlight units, and a relief map of Moab engraved into a rubber cubby liner. Then a Chrysler got a map of Detroit and the outline of Laguna Seca materialized near the Viper's window switch. We've come to call them Easter eggs, but Klaus Busse points out that they were never really meant to be secrets, just ways to dress up what he calls "dead plastic." He's nevertheless cool with the phrase being applied and likes the enthusiastic response these design details get. Busse is intimately familiar with many of them, having signed off on many of them in his time as head interior designer for FCA's US operations. He recently moved to Europe to lead Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat design there, so when I caught up with him next to the new Stelvio crossover at the Alfa stand in LA, I had to ask: Are we going to see any of those neat design details in Alfas or Maseratis anytime soon? The short answer is no. But he didn't say it's out of the question. Busse said if, for example, a designer wanted to put an Italian phrase somewhere on a car that was in keeping with the brand, he would allow it. Although he didn't come out and say it, it seems like he might feel this type of fun design element isn't necessarily appropriate for a higher-end brand like Alfa. And I get that. But I'm still going to check all the compartments of that new Alfa crossover for a map of the Stelvio Pass. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: LA 2016 View 11 Photos Design/Style LA Auto Show Alfa Romeo Jeep 2016 LA Auto Show easter egg

Forum die-hards render upcoming Jeep Wrangler JT Rubicon pickup

Our friends at JLWranglerForums.com shared the renders you see above with us, showing off their best guess at what the upcoming Jeep Wrangler JT pickup will look like. It's not due for a while yet, but we've already seen a lot of the truck (under heavy camouflage) – enough to piece together some renders. Some of the small details may change, but then again, the Wrangler is one of the great constants in the automotive world. Expect a lot of carryover from JK to JL. These renders reflect the latest gleaned from recent spyshots. Note the cut of the bed, which is angled to match the rear fender's forward line, tucking it nicely under the rear door. The doors will also not have a body line or crease running across them, apparently. That line will occur on the front fenders and the bed, but not on the doors, it seems. JLWranglerForums.com's has a good track record, and while there's no guarantee that the bits hiding under the camo and rendered here are final, this is likely a pretty good preview of what we'll see on the road soon. In the meantime, catch up on all we know about the Wrangler pickup here. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeep Wrangler Pickup Renders View 14 Photos News Source: JLWranglerForums.comImage Credit: JLWranglerForums.com Design/Style Rumormill Jeep Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles jeep wrangler pickup