2007 Aspen 5.7 liter V8. Will not shift out of park. The temporary fix is to open rubber cover on steering column, press everything inside with a screwdriver to find and move a locking pin. Starting the car to warm up worked once, but this is probably coincidental and is not a reliable way to get mobile again.
I cannot determine the shift lever part number to get new one online. Seeing the number of online complaints, this is a standard Chrysler problem on many models over many years, and is traced to a spring attachment on the shift lever made of plastic. A simple fix is to make the attachment out of durable material. However, the recurring failure over many years and models indicates it is a Chrysler management decision not to re-engineer the failing plastic spring attachment on the shift lever of Chrysler cars. Chrysler will install a new entire shift mechanism for just over $400 P&L.
I am reporting this to the NTSB. I recommend a recall to avoid being unexpectedly isolated in a vehicle that cannot be driven. A lifelong Chrysler owner, but I won't buy a new Chrysler product until a durable fix is available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007 Aspen 5.7 liter V8. Will not shift out of park. The temporary fix is to open rubber cover on steering column, press everything inside with a screwdriver to find and move a locking pin. Starting the car to warm up worked once, but this is probably coincidental and is not a reliable way to get mobile again.
I cannot determine the shift lever part number to get new one online. Seeing the number of online complaints, this is a standard Chrysler problem on many models over many years, and is traced to a spring attachment on the shift lever made of plastic. A simple fix is to make the attachment out of durable material. However, the recurring failure over many years and models indicates it is a Chrysler management decision not to re-engineer the failing plastic spring attachment on the shift lever of Chrysler cars. Chrysler will install a new entire shift mechanism for just over $400 P&L.
I am reporting this to the NTSB. I recommend a recall to avoid being unexpectedly isolated in a vehicle that cannot be driven. A lifelong Chrysler owner, but I won't buy a new Chrysler product until a durable fix is available.
- eohlert, Edenton, US