Here’s The Problem With The Gear Selector That Might Have Led To Anton Yelchin's Death

It’s been previously stated by the NHTSA that this electronic shifter - manufactured by German firm ZF - is responsible for hundreds of crashes. As explained and demonstrated by The Fast Lane Car in the video above, the problem stems from the fact that the shifter returns to the centre position after every selection. Unlike many automatic gearbox selectors, it doesn’t have a park button either.

A rollaway incident involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee fitted with one of the problematic shifters claimed the life of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, after he was pinned between the unsecured vehicle and a pillar on his driveway. Cars with the shifter were actually recalled by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) back in April to have new software installed that applies the parking brake if the car’s still in neutral when the door is opened. It’s currently unknown if Yelchin’s car had been given the new software, although given the nature of the tragic accident, we’d assume not.