2004 Chrysler Crossfire on 2040-cars

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78k Chrysler 200 sedans recalled for stalling

Chrysler has been at the top of our list of recalls lately, and is showing little sign of dropping down. The latest campaign announced from Auburn Hills affects nearly 80,000 units over a problem that could see the vehicle suddenly stall or shift into neutral unexpectedly. According to the automaker's statement below, the issue primarily affects the 2015 Chrysler 200. However it indicates that unspecified "additional vehicles are also included in the campaign." Of the 77,834 units affected by the recall, the vast majority – nearly 70k – are in the United States. Another 7,115 are located in Canada, 848 in Mexico, and another 19 outside of North America. The problem stems from some electrical connectors that may have been damaged by the supplier during post-production validation tests. FCA stresses, however, that it is "unaware of any related injuries or accidents" resulting from this issue, and that the glitch may or may not be "accompanied by a dashboard warning-light illumination." Airbag function is reportedly unaffected. Related Video: Statement: Electrical Connectors August 14, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to correct a condition in an estimated 77,834 U.S.-market sedans that may lead to engine stall or gearshift to neutral. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The condition, which may be accompanied by a dashboard warning-light illumination, does not affect air-bag function. An investigation by FCA US revealed some electrical connectors were damaged when the supplier conducted post-production validation tests. Affected are certain 2015 Chrysler 200 midsize sedans. Additional vehicles also are included in campaign. Of these, approximately 7,115 are in Canada; 848 are in Mexico; and 19 are outside the NAFTA region Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. Customers with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.

Fiat-Chrysler and Peugeot unveil burgeoning Stellantis supergroup's new logo

Stellantis, the entity formed by the merger between Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group, has revealed its logo. It's as anonymous as the name of what will become the world's fourth-largest carmaker. Executives explained the logo symbolizes the rich heritage of the group's founding companies, and the unique combined strengths of the new conglomerate's 14-brand portfolio. While that's certainly one way to look at it, finding an iota of heritage in the Stellantis logo requires an unusually vivid imagination. It consists of the company's name in a sans serif font on a blue background. Designers removed the horizontal bar from the letter A, and they surrounded it by four rows of increasingly small dots vaguely arranged like stars in a galaxy. Chrysler helped NASA develop and build the Mercury-Redstone rocket, but we doubt that's what the galaxy-shaped logo is trying to remind us of. Nothing about it suggests Stellantis bundles some of the oldest and best-known car manufacturers in the world. It wouldn't look out of place in an ad for a credit card company, in a brochure for a frequent flier program, or on an over-the-counter pain reliever box, and that was likely intentional. It's a corporate logo that's going to appear on pens, name tags, coffee mugs, and a wide variety of paperwork, so it doesn't need to be eye-catching or ignite excitement — it'll never show up on a car. Stellantis Charger Hellcat? Nope. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Stellantis Edition? Not happening, either. Chrysler, Peugeot, Dodge, Opel, Vauxhall, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Ram, Citroen, Fiat, Maserati, and the other odds and ends that will be dumped in the Stellantis melting pot will carry on with their respective identities and naming systems. Stellantis it is, then. Expect the new logo to appear on employee payrolls and other official letterheads after the $38 billion 50:50 merger is finalized. Both sides said they plan to complete the merger in the first half of 2021.

FCA and ZF issue recall on nine-speed automatic transmission

After years of complaints, German transmission manufacturer ZF is finally issuing a recall of its much maligned 9HP nine-speed automatic transmission. Although it has been criticized for a number of issues, ZF is issuing the recall to address the possibility of the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral. The issue covers 505,000 vehicles in the United States alone. This issue is related to an improper crimp on the transmission wiring harness. Rather than a physical fix, ZF is issuing a software update to remedy the problem. The company doesn't recommend dealers attempt to fix the crimp. Although the transmission can be found in a number of models by various manufacturers, currently only those from FCA are being recalled. This is the second recall in less than a year related to a ZF transmission shifting into neutral. FCA recently recalled more than a million vehicles worldwide because of a poorly designed shifter for ZF's 8HP eight-speed automatic. That issue may have resulted in the death of actor Anton Yelchin in June. Although there are no deaths related to this new recall, NHTSA reports that the issue has resulted in at least 10 injuries. Issues with the transmission have been known for years. A number of software updates have attempted to address various problems, making us wonder if there could be a fundamental hardware issue as the complaints span across a number of automakers. Vehicles equipped with the 9HP include 2014 and newer versions of the V6 Acura TLX, Chrysler 200, Fiat 500X, upper-level Honda Pilots, Jeep Cherokee and Renegade, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, and Ram ProMaster City. Only FCA is issuing a recall and only on 2014 and 2015 models. Related Video: News Source: NHTSA Recalls Chrysler Fiat Jeep Safety FCA nine-speed transmission