Safety Group Urges Recall of 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minivans Over Stalling Issue
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Chrysler should recall 2017 Pacifica minivans because of complaints from drivers over stalling incidents that leave them unable to accelerate or decelerate or use power steering, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) said Monday.
More than 50 owners have reported stalling issues to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to the CAS. The group delivered a petition to the federal agency on Monday asking for a recall of the minivans to fix the problem.
According to consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, the incidents have occurred at varying speeds, including traveling 40 mph on a municipal road, 60 mph in a tunnel, and sitting still idling.
“We’re continuing to monitor our vehicles and collect data,” Eric Mayne, an FCA spokesman, said Monday evening. “This is ongoing.”
In a statement emailed earlier Monday to Consumer Reports, the FCA acknowledged the complaints and said it was unaware of any injuries or accidents. It added that the airbags and seat belts were never compromised during any of the incidents and that customers were able to restart their vehicles immediately after the stalling without the condition recurring.
Vehicle stalling is a serious safety issue, says Jen Stockburger, director of operations at the CR Auto Test Center in Connecticut.
“Even if it doesn’t result in safety features being disabled, stalling in moving traffic when you don’t expect it has inherent risk,” she says. “And the loss of power systems like brakes and steering that accompanies a vehicle stall makes getting out of the way difficult.”
NHTSA says it will review the petition and then take appropriate action. A petition must first undergo a technical review by the agency and then it might get a public hearing. If the agency ultimately approves the petition, NHTSA would launch an investigation into the alleged defect. That investigation could then lead to a recall.
The Pacifica is recommended by Consumer Reports and is ranked among the top three minivans. CR owns two Pacifica minivans and has not experienced stalls in either one.
The FCA has recalled at least one other vehicle recently for stalling issues. The automaker issued a recall last year for 2013 to 2016 Fiat 500e cars because the vehicle “may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down,” according to NHTSA’s website.
CAS said it was filing the petition in conjunction with Adam Cohen, a Pacifica owner from Leesburg, Va.
In an interview with CR, Cohen said that his wife was driving twice when the minivan stalled. The events happened in June and September, he said.
“Fortunately, for us, she was driving at no more than approximately 25 miles per hour on each occasion,” Cohen told CR, “and despite losing all ability to accelerate or use power steering, she was able to control the vehicle and successfully maneuver it to the side of the road, until it coasted to a stop.”
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