Fiat Chrysler speeds up recall of confusing gear shifters

But late last week, the company told dealers it was addressing the problem with a software update that would effectively immobilize the cars if there is no driver in place. However, the same vehicle has been under investigation for its “e-shift” transmissions, which are said to lack tactile and visual feedback, therefore “increasing the potential for unintended gear selection”.

“I was like, in the door jamb about to get into the vehicle when it started rolling back forward, knocked me down on my belly and proceeded to roll over my legs”, she said.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled more than 47,000 cars in Australia to rectify a design flaw in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300. No determination has been made if the recall defect was to blame for Yelchin’s death.

The recall also covers the 2014 Grand Cherokee as well as the 2012 through 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

Yelchin, 27, died Saturday after his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backward, pinning him against his brick mailbox and gated entrance to his Los Angeles home. It has been linked to 41 injuries where owners accidentally left the vehicles in gear instead of park, despite warning chimes indicating it was not so.

The 2015 model-year Grand Cherokees were part of a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles announced by automaker Fiat Chrysler in April, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records show. The recall process can take months to roll out, even if this one was sped up like Fiat Chrysler says it was.

The recalled vehicles featured “E-shift” systems that electronically shift between gears and require the driver to push a lever three times to put the auto in “park”.

Owners are advised to park their vehicles carefully. The company further said that it is planning to include certain enhancements in the vehicle.

Friends and colleagues of the Russian-born actor, best known for playing Chekov in the newly-revamped “Star Trek” movies, have paid tribute to him following the news of his death.

On the heels of actor Anton Yelchin’s untimely death, confusing and/or unintuitive automatic transmission shifters are in the news.

In August 2015, NHTSA opened an investigation after reports of massive confusion over the electronic monostable gear shifters.