Fiat Chrysler has announced that it will launch an investigation after it came to light that the Jeep vehicle involved in the crash that killed actor Anton Yelchin was the subject of a recall.
The car, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was among 1.1 million Fiat Chrysler Automobiles vehicles that were issued with recall notices earlier this year over problems with the car’s electronic gear shifters.
The recall addressed issues related to the eight-speed ZF gearbox, after some drivers reported that they weren’t clear on whether the electronic gearbox was in its “park” position or not.
Unlike traditional automatic gear shifters, the ZF shifter doesn’t move into a specific slot when shifted, with only a light that changes from D for “drive” into P for “park”.
There is a warning chime if the drivers’ door opens and the gearbox isn’t in “park”, but Fiat Chrysler said that the chime wasn’t sufficient for drivers to know whether their cars were in gear or not.
The company said that it was aware of 41 injuries related to the gear shifter, but maintains that it was a problem in North American cars only and that “no evidence of equipment failure was found”.
No evidence found of faults
Star Trek actor Yelchin died aged 27 on Sunday morning when his car was left in neutral and apparently rolled down his driveway, crushing him against a post box.
At the time it wasn’t clear whether the car was a 2014 or 2015 model year Jeep, but LAPD officials confirmed to motoring site Jalopnik that it was a 2015 model covered by the gearbox recall.
The investigation into Yelchin’s death is still ongoing and authorities have yet to determine the cause of the incident, but Fiat Chrysler issued a statement saying it would officially launch an investigation.
It said: “FCA US extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Yelchin. The company is in contact with the authorities and is conducting a thorough investigation. It is premature to speculate on the cause of this tragedy.”
However, it’s important to stress that at present no evidence has been found of faults in Yelchin’s car, and authorities are treating it as a tragic accident.
A statement from the LAPD reads: “The investigation is ongoing so we have not made any final determination as to the cause of the accident only that it does appear to be accidental and not an intentional act.”
