Another auto giant is issuing a large recall of vehicles, this time for pedal problems. Business Week reports that Chrysler Group LLC has recalled about 35,000 Dodge and Jeep vehicles. The <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/defective_vehicle_parts">accelerator pedals may become stuck, said Chrysler Group.
Accelerator pedals in model year 2007 Dodge Calibers and Jeep Compasses were manufactured by CTS Corporation, wrote Business Week, which explained that the firm, based in Elkhart, Indiana, is known for having “supplied similar parts in Toyota Motor Co.’s cars.†This recall involves 34,614 Calibers and 90 Compasses, with most of the vehicles—73 percent—known to be in the United States, said Chrysler in a statement, wrote Business Week.
“Under certain conditions the pedal may not immediately return to its idle position,†Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said in an e-mailed statement, quoted Business Week. “Some vehicles have been built with accelerator pedal pivot bushings that may dislodge, causing the pedal to slowly return under limited operating conditions,†the statement went on to say.
Last month, the <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/defective_vehicle_parts">National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it was investigating Chrysler’s vehicles following reports received from five consumers who said pedals on their vehicles became stuck when operating their cars. Of note, NHTSA recently announced that it is also investigating “Ford Motor Co. cars for pedals that may become stuck on floor mats,†said Business Week. Also, Toyota ordered massive recalls for sticky pedals or pedals that were trapped by mats, which added to unintended acceleration issues, said Business Week.
Business Week explained that the recalled vehicles involved in the recent Chrysler recall are equipped with an electronic throttle control technology, according to Chrysler’s June 3 letter to NHTSA. That software is meant to stop cars when both the accelerator and brake are engaged, noted Business Week, which wrote that the carmaker is unaware of accidents or injuries related to the defect.
Most recently, we wrote that the NHTSA opened an investigation into 250,000 Ford Motor Co. vehicles following three complaints involving optional floor mats, said the Detroit News. The investigation involves Ford’s 2010 Fusion and Mercury Milan. Last month, the agency opened another investigation into 161,000 Dodge Calibers following five sticky accelerator pedal complaints.
Meanwhile, Toyota, has been plagued with problems surrounding sticky pedals and, among other problems, has issued several recalls and been the subject of probes, an historic NHTSA fine, and a Congressional investigation. Recently, we wrote that compounding the ongoing, headline-making news the auto giant has been facing, the world’s largest automaker has been accused of deception, this time by Democratic lawmakers. According to FreeP, the beleaguered automaker was accused of misleading the public and allowing legal worries to overshadow resolutions to problems with sudden acceleration in some of its vehicles.
Toyota recently recalled 11,500 Lexus vehicles for steering problems.
