NHTSA complaint #11675923

Owner complaint summary

9-SPEED TRANSMISSION:ZF9 HP-9, considered an "improved" transmission as compared to the previous 6-speed versions, prior to 2017. According to more than one FCA class action lawsuit, Fiat Chrysler knew the transmission had problems that could make FCA vehicles unsafe to drive. Problems: Lurching away from a stop, either when shifting into Drive or Reverse, then often accelerating into traffic, or into a crowded parking lot, or in an after-school setting, with children around. Rough shifting into Reverse or Drive from Park. Delayed shifting into Reverse or Drive, from Park. Intermittent "sounds" such as clunking or low-level grinding when attempting to shift from one gear to another. Refusal to downshift once a speed of 35-45 mph is reached, creating "gear-hunting", during which time the vehicle begins to accelerate, then decelerate, then accelerate again, often forcing abrupt, potentially-dangerous braking. Refusal to downshift allows the vehicle to continue unabated in gears 2-3, then 3-4. Intermittent refusal to upshift or downshift when engaging gears 6-9. At speeds between 50-70 mph, the vehicle will independently begin to slowly downshift, for no apparent reason, requiring a soft braking action, first, then sometimes followed by pulling over, coming to a complete stop, waiting then resuming. then getting back to speed. On one occasion, the transmission "slipped" into neutral at approximately 70 mph, causing the driver to pull off onto a major interstate's shoulder, shutting the engine off, then allowing the transmission to "cool" for several minutes, before starting the vehicle and continuing. This can be very dangerous if the transmission completely fails at 2 AM in the morning in a somewhat "dicey" area, anywhere, on any highway. All of the above complaints and transmission dysfunction/defects are sudden/acute and intermittent creating a sense of unnecessary anxiety and frustration when driving. As aresult, the owner has begun not allowing other drivers