The defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PREVENTION." IF THE STOP/START BUTTON IS PRESSED AND HELD AND THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, THE ELECTRONIC KEY CODE IS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. SINCE THIS CAN OCCUR IN A TRANSMISSION OR GEAR SELECTOR POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK," AND THE TRANSMISSION OR GEAR SELECTOR DOES NOT BECOME LOCKED IN "PARK" AS A DIRECT RESULT OF KEY REMOVAL, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NONCOMPLIANCE MAY EXIST.
The risk
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES VEHICLE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRASHES RESULTING FROM THEFT AND ACCIDENTAL ROLLAWAY OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE MODULE SO THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Dodge Challenger | 2008, 2009 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Challenger | 2008 | 10 | 3 |
| Dodge Challenger | 2009 | 133 | 7 |
Other power train recalls in 2008
32 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the power train; CHRYSLER LLC filed 29 campaigns in all.
| 08V665000 16 Dec 2008 | MANAC |
| 08V660000 15 Dec 2008 | TRAILMOBILE CANADA LIMITED |
| 08V635000 3 Dec 2008 | LAND ROVER |
| 08V621000 24 Nov 2008 | M H EBY, INC. |
| 08V605000 14 Nov 2008 | SEAGRAVE FIRE APPARATUS, LLC |
| 08V591000 14 Nov 2008 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING |
| 08V595000 14 Nov 2008 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 08V583000 6 Nov 2008 | CHRYSLER LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008