NHTSA Clears and Closes Investigation on Chrysler Rollway Complaints

Operator Errors Were Likely Cause

AUTO CENTRAL - January 29, 2024: A nearly decade-long investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Traffic's National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has determined that there were no manufacturing design defects in Chrysler and Dodge vehicles' electronic rotary shifters.

According to the NHTSA ODI Resume dated January 25, 2024, "The investigation began December 16, 2016, when the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)Investigation: PE16014 Close Resume Page 1 of 2 ​ model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design. Of the 43 consumer complaints, 25 complaints alleged crashes, and eight complaints alleged at least one injury."

The Auto Channel reported on this issue back on December 20, 2016 when we published a Reuters news report of the allegations.

The NHTSA ODI Resume issued last week concluded: "During the course of this investigation, ODI did not find evidence that a vehicle-based design or manufacturing defect was the cause of vehicle rollaway incidents on the subject vehicles." The report implies that the likely cause of the rollway incidents was inadvertent operator error. The ODI Resume document can be read in its entirety by clicking the images below.*

*The ODI Resume document was provided to The Auto Channel by Eric Mayne, Media Relations Manager, Stellantis.