Chrysler Continues to Tweak New 9-Speed Transmission Software

Chrysler Group LLC is still working out the bugs in software that controls the 2014 Jeep Cherokee's all-new 9-speed automatic transmission, Ward's Auto.com reports.

John Critzer, Cherokee product planning manager, tells the Web site that Chrysler has not firmed up a launch date for customer deliveries. He says company transmission engineers are conducting daily software reviews until they are satisfied with the shift quality for the new gearbox.

Chrysler had planned to begin retail sales of the redesigned Cherokee in August. The company suspended second-shift production two weeks ago to avoid a backup of vehicles awaiting the upgrades.

Last week Chrysler said it had completed powertrain software updates sooner than expected and was ready to restore second-shift output.