Since the tragic death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelshin, the Monostable gear selector in some Fiat Chrysler products has come under scrutiny by the press and the public.
In this TFLcar video, Brian Waring, technical editor, demonstrates and explains the operation of this tricky gear shift.
Yelshin was killed when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backwards down a steep hill and pinned him against a brick mailbox and security gate. His car was equipped with the Monostable gear shift, and police reports say that the car was left in neutral.
FCA vehicles with this shifter, including the 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee along with Chrysler 300s and Dodge Chargers from the same years, have been recalled for exactly this reason. The recall was only a brochure that detailed how to properly operate the transmission. A permanent software-based fix will be available by the fourth quarter.
Check out the video above to see a demonstration of the Monostable gear shifter and to see why it could be confusing to operate.
