The engine control computer will override a stuck gas pedal if the brake is depressed.
Chrysler Group is recalling almost 35,000 Dodge Calibers in the United States, Canada Mexico and other countries to fix a potential problem with sticky gas pedals, the same defect that affected millions of Toyotas. A small number of Jeep Compass models, 90, are also involved.
No accidents or injuries have been reported.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation back in April covering 161,000 of the 2007 model Dodge Caliber hatchbacks. At that time, Chrysler said that only 10,000 of the vehicles, produced during a five-week period in March and April 2006 are affected by the potential problem.
The Federal safety defect investigation was looking at pedals manufactured by an Indiana-based supplier, CTS Corporation, also the source of sticky accelerator pedals involved in the January recall of 2.3 million Toyota vehicles. Toyota recently paid a record fine of $16.4 million for failing to notify the government of the problem in a timely manner. NHTSA had received customer complaints about sticking Dodge pedals.
Chrysler said the pedal is a completely different design and was made on different tooling than the Toyota pedals. It appears to be a mechanical problem where a pivot bushing falls out and jams the pedal. And unlike Toyota, the engine control computer overrides the accelerator if the brakes are applied at the same time so the driver can stop the Caliber.
Chrysler dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace defective pedals with a new pedal assembly at no charge as required by law. Chrysler said the recall is limited to a group of vehicles built from March 7 to May 19, 2006.