FCA caught in ZF transmission recall
BY RON HAMMERTON | 10th Aug 2016
So far, the recall is restricted to the United States where both FCA and ZF have posted recall notices with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
However, the recall is almost certain to flow on to Australia where - judging by sales during the period in question - about 7000 Jeep Cherokees will need to go back to dealerships to be electronically probed for the wiring problem and also loaded with a transmission software update to make sure the transmission does not default to neutral, leaving drivers dangerously stranded in traffic.
Although other FCA models such as the Jeep Renegade and its Fiat twin, 500X, are also caught up in the recall in other markets, GoAuto understands that because these vehicles have been launched more recently, none of these vehicles sold in Australia have the offending batch of transmissions.
The ZF nine-speeder is also offered in the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport, but Land Rover Australia says it has had no alerts from head office about any potential problem with its version of the ‘box.
In the US, the FCA notice says the recall affects certain 2014 and 2015 model-year Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Renegade, Chrysler 200, RAM Promaster City vehicles, as well as 2016 model-year Fiat 500X vehicles.
The company blames “insufficient wire terminal crimps” in the transmission wire harness, presumably meaning one or more wires can become loose.
The statement says this problem can cause high electrical resistance in the wiring, causing the on-board diagnostic system to trigger.
In current ZF transmissions, this means the transmission selects neutral, potentially causing “a crash without warning”.
The software update will change this setting to a “fixed-gear limp mode”, meaning drivers will not be left stranded, having at least some forward drive to enable them to get to safety.
All vehicles caught in the recall will be given a “flash software test” to detect any high resistance in the wiring. If detected, the crimps will be fixed.
FCA Australia says it is still coming to grips with the transmission recall.
It says it is likely that the Cherokee will be recalled, but it is awaiting information from head office on exactly which vehicles will be affected.
ZF’s notice says the recalled transmissions were manufactured between May 2013 and July 2014.
The transmission was a problem for Jeep from the start, with the current Cherokee’s launch being delayed while engineers sorted problems with it.
In the US, the unit reportedly has already been subject to running software changes to try to improve its drivability, including slow downshifts.
In Australia, FCA has issued 13 safety recalls this year on Jeep, Chrysler and Fiat vehicles. Some of these recall notices involve multiple models.
In an unrelated event in April, FCA issued a recall for 1.1 million Jeep Grand Cherokees and Chrysler 300s to modify the electronic automatic transmission lever so drivers are less likely to inadvertently fail to engage park before exiting the vehicle, potentially leading to vehicles rolling away on an incline.
The issue came to a head in the US when Hollywood actor Anton Yelchin was found dead, pinned by his Grand Cherokee against a mailbox and security gate at the bottom of his steep driveway.
The recall effects 47,451 vehicles in Australia.
The Grand Cherokee uses an eight-speed automatic transmission that is ubiquitous to many brands, including BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover.
