Chrysler has also recalled about 15,000 new Dodge Dart compact cars worldwide because the engines can stall in cold weather. The recall affects 2013 model year cars with 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines and dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The company found the problem itself while testing a Dart that had been parked for eight hours in a room at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. After being pulled out of the room, the car stalled moments after it was started, according to a statement from Chrysler, which owns the Dodge brand.
After the incident, the company checked with dealers and found that some customers had experienced a similar experience with the car. Further investigation traced the problem to the computer that controls the engine and transmission. Canadian safety regulators say the problem could cause a loss of power, increasing the risk of crash, injury, or property damage. Engine stalling is particularly dangerous for drivers entering highways and crossing busy intersections. Dealers will recalibrate the computer at no cost to customers.
Most of the affected Darts, about 12,900, are in the United States, with about 1,900 in Canada. Chrysler refused a government request to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asserts that the cars are at risk of a fuel tank fire. Chrysler says the vehicles are safe. The Dart recall is Chrysler’s third since the refusal.
