USA RECALL #17 - FCA recalls a number of models for possible loss of hydraulic pressure causing the transmission pump to seize.

RECALL Subject : Loss of Power from Transmission Pump Failure

Report Receipt Date: JUN 24, 2016 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 

Component(s): POWER TRAIN 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 26,299    

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA - Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Town & Country Lead Their Segments in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study.

Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Town & Country Lead Their Segments

• Chrysler and Jeep® most improved brands in initial quality
• Dodge Challenger leads Midsize Sporty Car segment in initial quality for third consecutive year, fourth time in six years
• Chrysler Town & Country is highest ranking Minivan in quality study, Dodge Grand Caravan ranks second in segment

Chrysler and Jeep® are the most improved brands in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) with both brands improving their initial quality scores by 20 percent from last year’s study.

For a third consecutive year and for the fourth time in six years (2011, 2014-16), Dodge Challenger ranks at the top of the Midsize Sporty Car segment.

FCA US minivans also performed well in the study. Chrysler Town & Country ranks highest among Minivans in initial quality with Dodge Grand Caravan taking second place in the segment.

“Our commitment to quality is starting to show results as Chrysler and Jeep make strong improvements in initial quality, but there is still much work to do,” said Scott Garberding, Head of Quality, FCA – Global. “My colleagues and I are focused on continuing the positive momentum created so far as we look to earn and maintain the trust and loyalty of customers across all our brands.”

IQS is based on responses from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study asks customers to identify issues with their vehicles’ design, as well as defects.

“Dodge Challenger continues to impress new owners year after year with the muscle car now leading the Midsize Sporty Car segment in initial quality for the third straight year and the fourth time in six years,” Garberding added. “Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue their leadership position in the segment by taking the top two spots in initial quality.”

The Dodge brand’s Challenger muscle-car arsenal for 2016 is reloaded as the most complete model lineup with 10 trim levels, ranging from the 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat to the 305-horsepower, 30-mpg, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6-powered SXT model. All 2016 Dodge Challenger models are designed and engineered for world-class precision and outstanding performance.

Challenger previously achieved the highest IQS ranking among Midsize Sporty Cars in 2011, 2014 and 2015, as well as being named a segment leader in the J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study^SM in 2014 and 2015.

The IQS study, now in its 30^th year, is based on a 233-question survey conducted between February and May 2016.

CANADA SALES MAY - FCA continues a steady growth with record sales for Dodge Caravan & Jeep Grand Cherokee

• 31,724 vehicles sold, setting an all-time monthly sales record
• All-time record sales month for Jeep® brand and Dodge Challenger
• May sales records set for Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Grand Caravan
• Best calendar year-to-date sales start on record with 124,663 vehicles sold
• Number-one-selling automaker in Canada in 2016

FCA Canada today reported the best monthly sales in the Company’s history. A total of 31,724 vehicles were sold in May 2016, representing a 0.3 per cent increase compared with May 2015 sales of 31,617. 

Through the first five months of this year, FCA Canada has sold 124,663 vehicles, representing the best start to any year on record and maintaining FCA Canada’s position as the top-selling automaker in the country.

“May was a phenomenal month for FCA Canada as we set an all-time sales record,” said Dave Buckingham, Chief Operating Officer, FCA Canada. 

“Our Canadian-built Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Challenger each set sales records, while our Jeep® products continue to resonate strongly with customers, helping us to achieve an all-time record sales month for the brand.”

Sales Highlights

The Jeep brand posted an all-time monthly sales record with 9,881 units sold, which is an increase of 4 per cent compared with 9,527 sold in May 2015. 

Jeep Grand Cherokee led the way, establishing a new May sales record with 2,003 units sold, marking an increase of 40 per cent over 1,426 sold in May 2015. 

This is the second month in a row that Jeep Grand Cherokee has established a new sales record, helping it to retain its position as the country’s best-selling full-size SUV.

The Jeep brand recorded sales of more than 1.2 million units worldwide in 2015 – the highest total in its 75-year history – setting a global sales record for the fourth consecutive year. 

Sales of 1,237,583 Jeep vehicles improved upon the brand’s 2014 global record of 1,017,019 by 22 per cent. In Canada, sales of 79,680 units bettered the 2014 total of 70,503 units by 13 per cent.

The Dodge Challenger, built in Canada at the Brampton Assembly Plant, set an all-time monthly sales record in May with 665 cars sold, compared with 566 sold in the same month, one year ago. 

Designed and engineered for world-class precision and outstanding performance, Dodge Challenger is offered in eight trim levels, from the 305-horsepower 3.6-litre Pentastar V6-powered SXT model – returning fuel economy as good as 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg) highway – to the supercharged Challenger SRT Hellcat with 707 horsepower, the highest V-8 power rating in the Company’s history.

Dodge Grand Caravan – Canada’s best-selling minivan – also set a May sales record. A total of 6,169 units were sold, up from 3,285 in May 2015. 

Dodge Grand Caravan is built alongside the all-new Chrysler Pacifica at the Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP). WAP has been producing vehicles in the Ontario city for the past 88 years and is the only vehicle assembly plant still operating in the heart of the city. 

Since 1983, more than 10 million minivans have been built at the Windsor plant.

Sales Charts:

May	May 2016	May 2015	% Change
Total Volume	31,724	31,617	0.3%	All-time record sales month
Model Highlights	May 2016	May 2015	% Change
Dodge Grand Caravan	6,169	3,285	88%	Record May Sales
Jeep Grand Cherokee	2,003	1,426	40%	Record May Sales
Dodge Challenger	665	566	17%	All-time record sales month
Jeep  Brand	9,881	9,527	4%	All-time record sales month
CYTD
CYTD Sales	May 2016	May 2015	% Change
Total Volume	124,663	120,915	3%	Best CYTD start
Model Highlights	May 2016	May 2015	% Change
Ram Pickup	39,861	37,572	6%	#2 selling vehicle in Canada
Jeep Cherokee	13,940	11,082	26%
Jeep Grand Cherokee	7,437	4,754	56%
Dodge Grand Caravan	21,373	17,160	25%
Total Ram Brand	42,486	41,181	3%
Total Jeep Brand	37,804	31,033	22%

USA - 39 Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are running a “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion for the The Hollywood Vampires/

Test Drive a Dodge Vehicle, Get Two Tickets to 'Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires – Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp' at DTE Energy Music Theatre, July 16

• Nearly 40 Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are participating in "Tickets for Test Drive" promotion
• Take a test drive by July 11 and receive a voucher for two lawn tickets to the much anticipated July 16 Hollywood Vampires concert featuring Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp
• Ticket giveaway open to Michigan residents 18 years or older with valid U.S. driver’s license
• Additional details available at 
• www.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires

Thirty-nine Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are running a “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion, now until July 11, giving away up to 4,000 tickets to the “Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires” concert on Saturday, July 16 at DTE Energy Music Theatre to consumers who test drive a new Dodge vehicle. The Hollywood Vampires show features Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp.

The ticket giveaway is open to Michigan residents, 18 years of age or older with a valid U.S. driver’s license at the time of the dealer visit. Each participant receives a voucher for two lawn tickets to the “Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires” concert, a total face value of $50. 

DTE Energy Music Theatre fees of $8.50 per ticket will still apply. Vouchers must be redeemed online for printed tickets atwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires. Limit one voucher per person, household or address.

“We encourage Dodge fans and Hollywood Vampires fans to visit a Metro Detroit Dodge dealership to test drive a Dodge vehicle and walk away with a pair of lawn tickets on us,” said Jeff Hines, Director, Great Lakes Business Center, FCA US. “We’re all excited to see Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp together live and want our local Dodge fans to be a part of the action.”

For full “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion details, participating dealerships and program rules, visitwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires.

To participate:

• Visit one of 39 participating Metro Detroit Dodge dealers in Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties
• Test drive a new Dodge vehicle
• Receive one concert ticket voucher, redeemable for two lawn seats atwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires
• Tickets must be redeemed online and printed. Voucher is not valid for entry. Face value for each ticket is $25. A facility fee of $8.50 per ticket will still apply.

Earlier this year, the FCA US Great Lakes Business Center, the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment announced a partnership that includes exclusive naming rights to the West Atrium at The Palace of Auburn Hills and naming rights to the Ivy Lounge at DTE Energy Music Theatre.

About Hollywood Vampires

Following their wildly successful concerts at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, in front of 100,000 screaming fans at the Rock in Rio festival, and their spectacular worldwide television debut on the 2016 Grammy Awards® reaching a global audience of almost 25 million people, fans worldwide demanded more. 

The Hollywood Vampires – Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp – always deliver and arranged their schedules to give their fans what they want. The Hollywood Vampires will perform at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is exclusively sponsored by Dodge, the performance brand of FCA US LLC.

USA - FCA recalls some Grand Caravan and Town & Country Minivans for torque strength on some fastenings.

FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 99 minivans in the U.S. to confirm the torque on fasteners that join their third-row seatback and cushion frames.

A supplier advised FCA US that a tool had been inadvertently set to deliver slightly less fastening torque than the specified amount, and that the tool had been used over two eight-hour production shifts. An FCA US investigation ensued and identified which vehicles may be affected.

FCA US is unaware of any related injuries, accidents, customer complaints or warranty claims. Nor is the Company aware of any component failures.

Affected are certain model-year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. An additional four minivans are subject to recall in Canada.

Service availability is imminent. Affected customers will be advised when they may contact their dealers.