[Guest]

Hi all.

Thanks for putting up with another newbie, and sorry if this subject has been covered elsewhere!

We purchased an '07 RT about 6 weeks ago. Other than this scary throttle issue, its been a fun vehicle. It has about 1600 miles and this is now the 2nd time it is in for service on the same issue.

When merging onto a highway or attempting to pass, the throttle seems to stay in the open position and will not disengage. It is pedal to the metal and high RPM's. Stepping on/slamming on the brakes, helps to slow the vehicle down, but doesn't disengage the throttle. Its as if the gas pedal is stuck, has a brick on it, etc. We have had this happen 3 times, with the most serious being yesterday, as we merged onto I-90 in Chicago. We FINALLY were able to slow down after pumping the brakes, as we swerved onto the shoulder. The first time it happened, pumping the brakes disengaged the throttle, but only shifting to neutral helped slow us down the 2nd time, as the engine revved and then finally stopped.

It seems to happen at about 40 MPH when the gas pedal is pushed to achieve maximum acceleration.

I don't know whats going on, but its pretty scary and dangerous as well.

The dealer had the Nitro for 5 or 6 days, ran it about 100 miles, and were not able to duplicate the problem.

Suggestions, info, and any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BackyardMechanic]

So are you saying that the vehicle continues to accelerate hard with you foot off the pedal? That's nuts!!! So the dealer says they can't duplicate the problem and so they do nothing. That's ridiculous!!! You know those service departments can call a service technician helpline, I wonder if they did that?? With such a safety concern you'd think they wouldn't just send you on your way and not do anything. I wouldn't be impressed. What are you going to do next. I suggest you call Chrysler on this one to get some action.

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

There have been other members with this problem, see threads below.

http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=4088&highlight=throttle
http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=5496&highlight=throttle

Try Pm'ing these members to see if they got it sorted and how.

And by the way, welcome to the forum MrsOllie, I do hope you get your problem fixed quickly.

 

[Guest]

So are you saying that the vehicle continues to accelerate hard with you foot off the pedal? That's nuts!!! So the dealer says they can't duplicate the problem and so they do nothing. That's ridiculous!!! You know those service departments can call a service technician helpline, I wonder if they did that?? With such a safety concern you'd think they wouldn't just send you on your way and not do anything. I wouldn't be impressed. What are you going to do next. I suggest you call Chrysler on this one to get some action.

Thanks for your response BYM! Yes, that is exactly what is happening. My foot is off the gas pedal and slamming on the brake, as I move closer to the vehicle in front of me!:SHOCKED:

I phoned Chrysler customer service today and they contacted my dealers service department. They provided me a reference number in the event I need to call back.

I told the dealer to KEEP the vehicle until they duplicate the problem because I don't feel safe behind the wheel, especially in high speed situations that may require rapid acceleration. It's some scary $HIT!

I've done business with this dealership for over 20 years, and the sales manager I deal with was once the service manager. He claims they can put a data recorder on the vehicle..sort of like an airplanes black box..that will provide accurate information when the problem recurs. I just don't want to be behind the wheel when that happens.

 

[F45]

When I got my slush mats, I put them on top of the factory mats. Sometimes if the slush mat went to far forward, it would hang the pedal, especially on a hard acceleration. It's safe to say that I now only have one mat there.
It's a thought, if you have more than one mat there.:unknw:

 

[Guest]

There have been other members with this problem, see threads below.

http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=4088&highlight=throttle
http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=5496&highlight=throttle

Try Pm'ing these members to see if they got it sorted and how.

And by the way, welcome to the forum MrsOllie, I do hope you get your problem fixed quickly.

Thanks for the welcome and the info! I looked thru bunches of threads prior to posting and obviously missed this thread. I even did a thread search for "throttle".

I hope they can figure it out and fix it FAST! I love the vehicle but don't wanna croak in it or injure anybody else.

Thanks again!

 

[Scjon03]

I havent had this happen to me yet on my Nitro.... but has happen to my 1996 Dodge Ram.... If you cant slow down or brakes dont work or slow you down to, turn off the engine and hopefully coast to a stop.. the brakes should kick back in....

 

[TylerCanada]

I've noticed when accelerating onto a highway that there is a substantial delay between letting off on the throttle and the upshift, but there is no continued acceleration. The RPMs stay really high for a couple of seconds, and I like it, because if I just let off for a second for someone to get out of my way, and then want to go again, it doesn't upshift and then downshift again.

 

[Guest]

When I got my slush mats, I put them on top of the factory mats. Sometimes if the slush mat went to far forward, it would hang the pedal, especially on a hard acceleration. It's safe to say that I now only have one mat there.
It's a thought, if you have more than one mat there.:unknw:

Just a quick follow up. My Nitro is still at the shop, and I've heard from the factory rep, quality control guy, and service manager. They "believe" the problem is indeed with the slush mat, and they have been able to duplicate the problem by flooring the gas pedal by hand, in their parking lot. I would have loved to see the expression if that happened to them on the highway. :SHOCKED:I am not convinced, but within a day or two we will know for sure.