FCA to Investigate Recalled Jeep in Death of “Star Trek” Actor

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV says it will investigate a rollaway incident involving a recalled 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee that killed “Star Trek” film actor Anton Yelchin on Sunday.

Yelchin, who played Russian navigator Chekov in the recent film series, was pinned against a security gate and brick post when his Jeep rolled down a steep driveway after being parked. FCA began a recall in April involving 1.1 million cars and SUVs, including Yelchin’s Grand Cherokee, because they could roll away after the driver exits the vehicle.

FCA sent letters in April reminding owners to make sure their vehicles are in Park before leaving their vehicles. The company told dealers in May it expected to have a software update to address the problem later this summer. Some 700 rollaway incidents have been reported by owners, but none resulted in a death until now.

At issue is FCA’s electronic shifter, a spring-loaded T-shaped lever that is briefly pushed forward to upshift and back to downshift. The lever springs back to a home position after each use, unlike a traditional PRNDL gate shifter. The selected gear is displayed in the instrument panel.

In February the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described the system as “clearly a safety issue” because the shifter provides little visual cue when it’s in Park.