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Chrysler Recalls Over 566,000 Trucks, SUVs

Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 566,000 trucks and SUVs in two recalls for malfunctioning fuel heaters that can cause fires and a software glitch can disable the electronic stability control. The recalls bring the newly merged company's total for the year to 6.4 million vehicles worldwide and 5.1 million in the U.S. as it continues to struggle with reliability problems. It was not immediately clear whether those totals were annual records. On Tuesday, its longtime quality chief abruptly left after Fiat Chrysler performed poorly in Consumer Reports magazine's annual reliability rankings. The largest of two recalls announced Wednesday covers almost 382,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups and Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs from 2010 through 2014. In trucks with 6.7-Liter Cummins diesel engines, corrosion on a fuel heater terminal could cause overheating, fuel leaks and fires. Chrysler is not aware of any fires or injuries. Owners could be warned by an odor of diesel fuel. Customers will be notified by letters starting in December. Dealers will install upgraded terminals and fuel heater housings could be replaced. The second recall covers more than 184,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from 2014. A debris cover over a circuit board in the steering column control module can disrupt communications and disable the stability control. The problem was discovered when dealers started getting reports from customers that electronic stability control warning lights were coming on. Fiat Chrysler says it knows of no crashes or injuries caused by the problem. Technicians will upgrade software to fix the SUVs, and customers will be notified in December. Fiat Chrysler has issued 33 global recalls and 27 in the U.S. so far this year. Doug Betts, its longtime quality chief, left the company to pursue other options after Consumer Reports' survey-based rankings this year showed four FiatChrysler brands at the bottom of its list. Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Fiat performed worst of 28 brands ranked by the magazine. Company spokesman Eric Mayne said Fiat Chrysler's recalls average fewer than 200,000 vehicles each, below the industry average of 301,000. That means the company is responding quickly to problems, he said, adding that eight of its 27 U.S. recalls were announced before the company received any consumer complaints. Chrysler is not alone with a high number of recalls so far this year.

Privateer Viper team sets a 7:03.45 time at the Nurburgring (UPDATE)

Update: The Viper record crew have uploaded video of the official lap. According to the group's Facebook page, they believe a sub-7 minute time is possible. They will try to return to the 'Ring in August when there are some open slots at the track, and they will be raising money to pay for a return trip. The group of Viper fans we told you about last week now have their first Nurburgring record attempt out of the way according to Road & Track. The automotive publication reports the team set a time of 7:03.45 with a 2017 Viper ACR. That's a bit over 8 seconds faster around the 'Ring than the previous-generation ACR. Unfortunately, the time puts it behind the Porsche 918 Spyder's 6:57 time and the Lamborghini Huracan Performante's 6:52 time. We've reached out to the privateer team for additional info on the attempt, and whether they will be able to make more attempts on this trip. We will update this as soon as we hear back. The team making these attempts got its start with a GoFundMe campaign to pay for a trip the Nurburgring to set times. The reason for this trip was the fact that Dodge never took this generation of Viper ACR to the famed German racetrack, despite going around setting fast laps at North American circuits. With funding from donors, sponsorship from Kumho Tires and Prefix, and provision of two Viper ACRs from Viper Exchange and BJ Motors, the team was able to make the journey.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Road & Track, Viper Ring Record Run / FacebookImage Credit: FoxProFilms / YouTube Dodge Coupe Performance dodge viper acr

Experience the New York Auto Show by drone

The Autoblog team recently returned from wildly running around the Javits Center to cover all the news and debuts at the New York Auto Show. Sometimes, it's nice to take a more serene look at the exhibition floor, though, and the event's organizers are providing that exact opportunity by flying a drone through the hall. Combined with the down-tempo music, this clip feels like a form of automotive meditation. If you're going to miss the show in the Big Apple, the drone also provides a good overview at the exhibition floor, especially at the stands from Lexus, Buick, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and BMW. Plus, it's a fun way to see some vehicles from a completely different angle than they ever appear on the road. Related Video: News Source: New York International Auto Show via YouTube Auto News New York Auto Show BMW Buick Dodge Honda Lexus Mercedes-Benz Toyota Videos drone 2015 ny auto show