FCA US, the former Chrysler Group, is recalling nearly 67,000 older-model pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions around the world over possible clutch issues linked to at least one death.
FCA, a unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is calling back an estimated 66,819 pickup trucks from model years 2006 and 2007 after engineers discovered clutch interlock switches may be equipped with spring wire that differs from wire used in previous switches, the company said.
There is a chance the alternate wire could break, causing the vehicle not to start or result in unintended movement when the ignition key is turned, the automaker said.
The company confirmed that it is aware of at least one fatality from an accident that related to the recall.
Back in May, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation after the fatality took place, according to Reuters. The incident involved a young child, who was able to enter a 2006 Ram 3500 tuck and start its ignition without the clutch depressed, according to documents filed with the safety agency.
The vehicle then moved forward and struck and killed another kid.
The recall covers certain:
-Dodge Dakotas
-Dodge Ram 1500s
-Dodge Ram 2500s
-Dodge Ram 3500
-Mitsubishi Raider pickups
Switches with the alternate wire were not used in any vehicles made before July 2005 or after June 2006, according to the NHTSA.
The Dakota and Raider are no longer made by Mitsubishi.
FCA said that an estimated 54,558 of the trucks can be found in the United States, 4,356 in Canada, 7,648 in Mexico.
An additional 257 are outside of North America, FCA said.
FCA said that notification letters will start being sent out on Feb. 13. For the time being, customers should follow all of the recommended procedures for starting their cars.
Recommendations include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the ignition key, according to the automaker.
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