POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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 fix

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.

Notes

CHRYSLER RECALL NO. H29. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Reported October 9, 2008