2014 Fiat 500L recalled in America – more DCT issues

500L-02

More dual-clutch transmission (DCT) problems abound. This time, it’s the newly formed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (following Fiat’s recent takeover of Chrysler) turn to issue a recall for such a gearbox, affecting around 19,500 units of the 2014 Fiat 500L in the USA and Canada.

The voluntary service bulletin is announced after the company received reports that some vehicles equipped with its own Fiat-made dry-clutch DCT “would not shift readily out of park and/or their transmissions did not receive, or were slow to receive, an intended gear selection.”

A microcontroller component, which may be compromised by certain temperature extremes, has been found to be the source of potential issues, and needs a software update. On top of that, an estimated 200 vehicles may require shift-module replacement to ensure hardware-software compatibility.

500L-09

With this latest revelation, it looks like the trick automatic transmission replacement-to-be, particularly dry-clutch variants of the new-ish technology, remains tricky to master for most mass-market carmakers. Just last month, Honda recalled over 80,000 cars fitted with its brand new DCT.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group issued a massive global recall late last year over issues with its DQ200 dry-clutch seven-speed DSG gearbox, afflicting 1.6 million vehicles worldwide. The big one came after numerous market-specific DSG recalls in China, Singapore and Malaysia throughout 2013.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Toroto on Mar 12, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    U guys might include Ford Fiesta as well…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • Pororo on Mar 12, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      Gearbox CVT Proton juga paling best….smooth, silence, jarang rosak punya

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • AVH (Member) on Mar 12, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Look on the bride side, when you are stuck on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to arrive. You are still better off than those with ill-fated DCT of other make…..
    ….because unlike them, you have a Coffee Machine in your car and have the luxury to enjoy a latte cappucino while you see the traffic flow past.

    Okay Jokes aside, so far, just for the purpose of normal commute, I believe is better to forgo the advantages of DCT for just the better reliability assurence of a normal Torque Converter. There are not much reassuring news relating to DCT for the common joe ,i mean yes it shifts smoother and faster(I think, never driven on a DCT car before)but the news of recalls and gearbox maltfunction are everywhere and I wonder weather this advancement of technology justify the risk.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • lowprofile on Mar 12, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      I agree with you. The disadvantages which usually are time consuming and stress inducing far outweigh the advantages of slightly faster gear changes and economy. At this point, peace-of-mind takes precedence over technology. I’m all for reverting to the torque converter. If Mercedes has been using it till now, there shouldn’t be a doubt about the torque converter’s reliability over a DCT/DSG etc.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • highprofile on Mar 12, 2014 at 12:45 pm

        remember that even mercedes use dual clutch in their A, B, CLA, GLA

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
        • hegohigo on Mar 12, 2014 at 1:24 pm

          and you think they never had any problems with dual clutch because they are mercedes rite?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
        • lowprofile on Mar 12, 2014 at 1:38 pm

          Well, let’s wait and see then.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • i mean yes it shifts smoother and faster(I think, never driven on a DCT car before)
      —————————————————
      Yup, its shift smoother & faster shifting only when u’re travelling fast…but at crawling speed..ie our normal traffic jam, its sucks big time…a torque converter/cvt is way much smoother at crawling speed…

      hmm, maybe if most/majority of ur driving involved crawling traffic jam, u’re bttr off wt normal auto box or a CVT. Stay away from DCT esp the dry clutch varient considering our hot climate..ur clutch will fries in the jam!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Mike ONiones on Apr 12, 2018 at 8:19 am

      I think FCA ought to replace DCT with new torque converter one free.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Guan Yin Ma (Member) on Mar 12, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Mercedes dual clutch are tuned to be soft core, rather then hardcore shift like dsg.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • mamamia on Mar 12, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    recall?shame of fiat

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    • lowprofile on Mar 12, 2014 at 4:48 pm

      shame? no. at least they dare to admit the have a fault and have a plan to rectify it. better than keeping quiet and letting the buyers suffer right?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
      • mamamia on Mar 12, 2014 at 8:37 pm

        wow,if proton recall sounds like dis “proton please shut down, tipical proton, low quality, shame of malaysia products n bla bla bla

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano (Member) on Mar 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    I think the big problem of the DCT is the shift times. When the shift time is so fast, it just can’t keep up. Mercedes’ one seems not too bad, but it doesn’t shift as fast as DSG, can’t deny that.

    And with torque converter autos almost matching the shift times of DCTs, like the ZF8HP, it seems that the torque converter will still live on.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • BOYRACER on Mar 12, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    For hard driving,dct is good.Quick shifting gears but in traffic jam,torque converter is better.Cvt is better suited for cars where comfort and economy is more of a priority.
    I think give dct a few more years maybe they get better.I guess at the moment,dct is still at its infancy.
    Remember when torque converter gearbox came out decades ago.It was not as good compare to modern units.Same goes for dct.
    Anyway has anyone ever driven a 70s ford granada 3-speed auto?
    You know what i mean..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required