2017 Maserati Levante S

Defect. Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2017 Levante vehicles. The engine software may cause the transmission to shift to neutral, or the engine to shut down, when the vehicle speed is approximately two miles per hour.

Risk. If the transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral, or the engine shuts down, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2017. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 338.

The contact owns a 2017 Maserati Levante S. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the transmission would independently shift to neutral(N) causing the vehicle to decelerate unintendedly. During the failure the driver was able to shift to the park(P) and back to the drive(D) to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. No service was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V161000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 58,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MASERATI LEVANTE S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,200.

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS (5-20 MPH), THE VEHICLE WILL SWITCH OVER TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN . THIS HAVE HAPPEN WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND MORE DANGEROUSLY, WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY.