Aussie-made Chevrolet Caprice police cars recalled

GENERAL Motors has issued a recall for the Australian-built Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV) in the United States due to a fault with the gear shifter which could see the car roll away while in park.

The recall of the rebadged Holden flagship affects 7601 vehicles built at the Elizabeth, South Australia plant between March 24, 2011 and December 6, 2013.

According to a report by General Motors on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, the recall is limited to Caprice Police Patrol Vehicles fitted with a specific console-mounted gear shifter containing two pins that may become displaced.

This could prompt the car to roll when in park, cause drivers difficulty shifting gears or allow other gears to be selected without applying the shift lock button.

“If the pins get displaced, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from park without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in park,” the NHTSA report stated.

“If the transmission can be moved from park without depressing the brake pedal, unintended motion may occur increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the ignition key can be removed without the transmission being in park, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.”

General Motors said it was aware of one accident due to the shifter fault but there were no injuries.

The car-maker said owners will be notified and dealers will replace the shift-level roll pin and base pivot pin, while a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention clip will be attached.

Holden told GoAuto no Caprices in Australia are affected by the US recall.

The South Australian-built Chevrolet Caprice PPVs first hit US streets in 2011 following the discontinuation of the long-serving and widely used Ford Crown Victoria police car, allowing other car-makers to pitch for the tender.

Up against patrol-car rivals such as Ford’s turbocharged 272kW V6 Taurus-based Police Interceptor and Dodge’s 276kW V8 Charger Pursuit, the more expensive 265kW V8 Caprice was well received by many US Police Departments who awarded the contract to the Chevy-badged Australian.

The recall of 7601 cars equates to the number of Caprice limousines sold by Holden to the US from 2011-2013 for PPV use.

The new 2014 Chevrolet Caprice PPV was launched this year and among other fresh additions has a new shifter, mounted on the steering column.