The recall affects 9,655 vans (1,473 in Canada and 283 in Mexico), many of which are reportedly still sitting on dealership lots. The problem is reportedly with a faulty pedal stop that could impede the accelerator from returning to its off position, especially if the pedal is depressed at an angle.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (
NHTSA) expects the recall to start in March 2014, with Chrysler notifying customers and asking them to return the vehicles to replace the potentially faulty part with a redesigned piece.
Company spokesman
Eric Mayne told Reuters the problem was discovered at a Chrysler track by a test driver and the findings were shared with the other companies marketing the vans. He noted the part had already been targeted for replacement with a more robust pedal stop that was meant to provide better pedal feel.
As with many of today’s new vehicles, the ProMaster does feature a
brake override feature, which basically gives the brake top priority under simultaneous braking and acceleration procedures. As such, stopping the vehicle won’t be a problem if the ProMaster’s throttle does stick wide open. Still, crashes may occur if the driver doesn’t react quickly enough to depress the brake pedal.
Based on the third generation Fiat/Peugeot joint venture van marketed as the Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper and Peugeot Boxer, the Ram ProMaster was introduced to North America at the
Chicago Auto Show in February 2013 and went into production at Chrysler’s Saltillo, Mexico plant in October 2013. The affected vans were manufactured between July 1 and December 10, 2013.
A search of online forums does return some hits on throttle problems with past generation Fiat, Citroën and Peugeot vans (most notably on motorhome versions of the models), though there was a
UK recall in May 2004 on the Ducato to address an accelerator pedal stop issue.
