8/25/21 - Just a quick video of my 3 week old '21 GT with 1100 miles on it. Took delivery 8/7/21. Problem arose at just over 700 miles. Driveshaft/transmission not always disengaged when using push button start causing the "clunk" sound. That sound is the driveshaft trying to rotate just for that split second.
8/29/21 - 1300 mile update: problem is getting worse. After any appreciable time on the highway the whole car "lurches" on startup (when everything is up at normal operating temperature).
The issue is related to the push button start. Weird...but true. At normal operating temperature, in warm weather, something internally is either causing or allowing the transmission to engage on start-up. The whole car "lurches" as the drive shaft tries to rotate causing the noise.
Here's where it gets weird: it ONLY happens when using push button start (foot on brake then push button).
My car came factory equipped with remote start. When using the remote start, this never happens. Push the button on the key fob twice, car starts up, no noise no thump, get in, NO FOOT ON BRAKE, push start button on dash and voila, you're off and running. There is some correlation with the "foot on brake/push button start" and warm ambient temperatures.
At the time of writing this, 1/10/22 and 5k miles later, winter has set in and with cold NE temperatures the thump/clunk on start-up almost never happens.
FCA, of course is denying anything is wrong and tying the dealer's hands by calling it a "characteristic of the vehicle". FCA also claims that they are "aware of the issue" but there is "no fix". According to the dealer, FCA said they weren't even sure if they would fix it even if they had a fix for it. Nice. Of course, the dealer wouldn't advocate for me even after their service manager said "that definitely isn't right". The dealer won't do anything simply because FCA claim there is nothing to fix. I was actually told by my service rep "not to worry about it 'cause you have plenty of warranty left". Again, nice. This is how FCA and Elmwood Dodge in RI treat their customers.
Transmission clunks on start up. Sometimes so bad it moves the vehicle. FCA says it characteristic of the vehicle. Our research found that’s total BS. Even the dealership didn’t know what was causing it. Total shame because otherwise a very nice car.
This vehicle also came with a factory defect dent in the passenger door. Also, intermittently the A/C turns on and off whenever it wants. Have a lemon law arbitration case pending...
- William W.,
Sebastian, Florida , US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It's just dangerous, not to mention embarrassing
8/25/21 - Just a quick video of my 3 week old '21 GT with 1100 miles on it. Took delivery 8/7/21. Problem arose at just over 700 miles. Driveshaft/transmission not always disengaged when using push button start causing the "clunk" sound. That sound is the driveshaft trying to rotate just for that split second.
8/29/21 - 1300 mile update: problem is getting worse. After any appreciable time on the highway the whole car "lurches" on startup (when everything is up at normal operating temperature).
The issue is related to the push button start. Weird...but true. At normal operating temperature, in warm weather, something internally is either causing or allowing the transmission to engage on start-up. The whole car "lurches" as the drive shaft tries to rotate causing the noise. Here's where it gets weird: it ONLY happens when using push button start (foot on brake then push button). My car came factory equipped with remote start. When using the remote start, this never happens. Push the button on the key fob twice, car starts up, no noise no thump, get in, NO FOOT ON BRAKE, push start button on dash and voila, you're off and running. There is some correlation with the "foot on brake/push button start" and warm ambient temperatures.
At the time of writing this, 1/10/22 and 5k miles later, winter has set in and with cold NE temperatures the thump/clunk on start-up almost never happens.
FCA, of course is denying anything is wrong and tying the dealer's hands by calling it a "characteristic of the vehicle". FCA also claims that they are "aware of the issue" but there is "no fix". According to the dealer, FCA said they weren't even sure if they would fix it even if they had a fix for it. Nice. Of course, the dealer wouldn't advocate for me even after their service manager said "that definitely isn't right". The dealer won't do anything simply because FCA claim there is nothing to fix. I was actually told by my service rep "not to worry about it 'cause you have plenty of warranty left". Again, nice. This is how FCA and Elmwood Dodge in RI treat their customers.
- Jeff R., West Warwick, US