2017 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Caravan get recalled over brake light switch

A faulty switch could allow vehicles to shift out of park without the brake pedal being depressed.

Gather 'round, children; it's time once again to visit the wonderful world of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) recalls! This time, there are 39,456 2017 Jeep Wranglers and Dodge Caravan RTs being recalled due to a faulty brake pedal switch that may allow vehicles to be shifted out of Park without the brake pedal being depressed and may leave the brake lights illuminated continually.

Yeah, not ideal but thankfully it's a limited number of vehicles and a reasonably straightforward fix. Owners of affected vehicles will begin hearing from FCA at the end of March with information on how to get their cars fixed. read more »

Fiat Chrysler sent an over-the-air update that is causing Uconnect to endlessly reboot

Being able to update your car’s user interface over the air means better access to new features, with fewer trips to the dealer, and — ideally — a quick fix if something’s wrong. But there are inevitably going to be hiccups when a behemoth like, say, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles tries to update the infotainment system it pushes on many of its sub-brands and something breaks. This weekend, as Jalopnik noticed, FCA sent an over-the-air update to its Uconnect platform that is causing infotainment systems in cars to reboot every 45 seconds or so.

Uconnect is supported by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat vehicles, and the problem seems fairly agnostic. Customers of all makes are on Twitter tweeting at the @UConnectCares support account asking for help, or simply venting their frustration. read more »

Diesel-powered cars are on their way out

Diesel-powered cars appeal to European drivers for their fuel efficiency and power. Carmakers like them because they emit less carbon dioxide than similar petrol engines do, making it easier to comply with stiff regulations. Starting in the 1990s European governments sought to increase diesel’s market share by providing generous tax incentives. By 2011, fully 55% of cars in Europe ran on diesel.

In recent years, however, governments have shifted gear. The advent of electric cars has knocked diesel off its perch as the fuel with the smallest carbon footprint. Diesel also releases greater quantities of nasty gases other than carbon, such as nitrogen oxides, than petrol does. Public awareness of these unwelcome side effects grew quickly after Volkswagen was caught in 2016 disguising the amount of pollution spewed by its diesel-powered cars. In 2012 European governments started to trim back the fuel’s tax advantages. Consumers have fled in response: from 2015 to 2017, diesel’s market share on the continent fell from 51% to 44%. read more »