US safety agency closes probe into Dodge and Ram rotary gear shifters without seeking a recall

U.S. auto safety regulators will not seek a recall after a seven-year investigation into complaints that Dodge and Ram vehicles can roll away after being shifted into park.

The problem was similar to one that was blamed in the death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, although the company was in the process of recalling his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee to address the issue.

The investigation, opened in December of 2016, covered almost 1.3 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks from the 2013 to 2017 model years, as well as Dodge Durango SUVs from 2014 through 2017.

At issue were electronic dial-like rotary gear selector knobs that were new at the time and different from previous mechanical shifters that used a lever to select gears. The knobs are turned to the left or right and have detents that click into gear.