In a twist that sounds more like a punchline than a safety alert, Stellantis is recalling approximately 8,400 Dodge Charger muscle cars—because they’re too quiet. The recall targets 2021–2023 Charger Widebody models equipped with roaring 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engines, ironically criticized for failing to produce enough noise at low speeds to warn pedestrians.
The issue centers on federally mandated "quiet vehicle" regulations, which require hybrids and EVs—and in this case, Chargers with active noise-canceling systems—to emit audible warnings below 19 mph. According to Stellantis, these Chargers fall short of the required 67 decibels, posing a risk to pedestrians, cyclists, or visually impaired individuals who might not hear the approaching two-ton vehicle.
Internal testing flagged the flaw, though no crashes or injuries have been reported. Owners will receive notifications in late July 2024 for a free software update to amplify the external speaker system.
This peculiar recall arrives amid a broader safety campaign by Stellantis. Earlier this month, the automaker recalled 211,000 SUVs and trucks due to faulty airbag sensors, offering free replacements after reports of non-deployment in crashes. The double whammy underscores a turbulent season for the parent company of Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
As for the Chargers? Owners might miss their stealth-mode rides, but safety regulators insist the growl belongs back on the streets.
Sources: Motor Safety, NHTSA
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