Seems the cruise control can just get stuck.
Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles has announced that it’ll be recalling some 4.8-million cars due to an issue with their cruise control, which could result in cars getting stuck in cruise, unable to disengage. Rather frighteningly, it seems that the fault means that cruise control once engaged will not be able to be disengaged by tapping the brakes or pressing a steering-wheel button.
The problem arises when cruise control is engaged, and the car accelerates to maintain the set speed. During acceleration, FCA says that if a short circuit occurred in a “specific electrical network” at the same time, the vehicle could then be stuck in cruise control.
FCA says that should this occur, the cruise control could still be “overpowered by the brakes,” or the car could be stopped by “shifting into neutral and braking accordingly.” Either way, this sounds like an incredibly scary scenario to be in, which is why FCA recommends not using your cruise control until your car’s been looked at.
The recall only affects US models from 2014 to 2019 model years, encompassing Dodge, RAM, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles. The 4.8-million figure relates only to US market cars. However, FCA is said to be working with the vehicle safety & compliance office of the North American Free Trade Agreement to identify affected vehicles in Canada, Mexico and “outside the NAFTA region.”
Thus far, we have yet to receive official word from FCA Australia with regards to this recall and whether or not local models are affected. But be sure to stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
