The Stellantis automotive company announced 1 of the largest service shares of fresh years, which will cover a full of over 2.4 million vehicles All over the world. The call concerns popular brands specified as Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, as well as Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram. The problem is global and concerns both Europe and North America. Although the maker shall guarantee that repairs are free of charge and preventive, the deficiencies detected are sufficiently serious that they may straight endanger road safety. For car owners, it's a signal that they gotta act immediately. Experts have no uncertainty – this is simply a powerful blow to the image of 1 of the biggest players in the automotive market, and the scale of the problem raises serious concerns about quality control in modern cars.
A European problem. A million Diesel with a faulty timing chain
W The main reason for calling for services in Europe is simply a serious mechanical defect affecting 1.3 million cars. The problem concerns the highly popular models of Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, DS and Fiat brands, which are equipped with 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine. The failure is the premature usage of the timing chain. This is simply a key component of the engine, liable for synchronizing the operation of valves and pistons.
A faulty chain can lead to malfunctioning of the drive unit, power drop, and in utmost but possible cases, to its breaking up while driving. specified a failure is catastrophic – it leads to the immediate demolition of the engine and immobilization of the vehicle, which is simply a deadly threat on the road to fast traffic. Stellantis undertook to execute a free exchange of defective components. Moreover, the company announced that as part of the service action extend the warranty on the timing strategy to 10 years for all the vehicles covered, to calm the moods among the customers.
Dangerous failures in the United States. safety systems may fail
At the same time, on the another side of the Atlantic, Stellantis faces electronic problems. The American part of the corrective run includes 1.2 million carswhere critical software errors have been detected. The first failure concerns the stableness control strategy (ESC). In models specified as Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Gladiator or Chrysler Pacifica, the ESC strategy can automatically shut down, as the driver is only informed by the control on the dashboard. failure of electronic support at a crucial moment, e.g. during the fast avoidance of obstacles or on slippery surfaces, significantly increases the hazard of failure of control.
The second problem concerns more than 1 million vehicles from 2021 to 1922, where defective radio software blocks the display of the image from the reversing camera. Though this may seem a insignificant fault, in practice it does Increases the hazard of footing or impact during maneuvering. The list of models with this problem included Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica. The American Road Safety Authority (NHTSA) called on the maker to take immediate action.
What do you gotta do? Stellantis calls for owners to act
The maker shall guarantee that the repair process is carried out efficiently and at no cost to the owners. The owners of the service cars will be informed about the request to visit the service via registered letters and email notifications. Nevertheless, experts advise not to wait for authoritative writing.
Every owner of a vehicle of the brands belonging to the Stellantis company, especially with engine 1.5 BlueHDi, should as shortly as possible check that his vehicle is being called. This can be done in respective ways:
- Using peculiar online tools on the authoritative websites of brands (Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, etc.), where you can get immediate information after entering the VIN number.
- By contacting the authorized service (ASO) of the brand.
- Calling the authoritative maker hotline in Poland.
If you confirm that the car is covered, you should make an appointment immediately. Services will not only replace defective parts, but will besides conduct a comprehensive review of the layout and oil exchange, and in case of software problems they will upload the essential updates.
A blow in reputation and a signal for the full industry
Such a immense service action is not only a gigantic logistical and financial challenge for Stellantis, but above all a serious image crisis. At a time erstwhile cars are increasingly packed with complex electronics, there is besides a increasing hazard of costly and dangerous errors. This incidental shows that even the biggest players in the marketplace are not free from oversight that can affect the safety of millions of drivers.
Experts emphasize that the way Stellantis can handle the organization of repairs will be crucial to his future reputation and client confidence. This is besides a clear signal for the full automotive industry: in a time of expanding force on innovation, there is no area for compromise on safety issues. Any akin failure will be powerfully stigmatized by supervisors and consumers themselves, who are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and possible risks.
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Giant service action Stellantis. Your Peugeot, Opel or Fiat may be threatened!
