Why Your Dodge or Jeep Might Start Without Touching the Brake Pedal

Wouter Smit · 2026-07-13

If you own a Dodge Durango or certain Jeep models, you might want to pay close attention. A recent recall has surfaced that could affect your vehicle's safety in a surprising way. We're talking about a fault that might let your engine start even when you're not pressing the brake pedal. That's not just a quirk -- it's a real safety risk. Let's break down what's happening, why it matters, and what you should do next. ### The Recall in a Nutshell Dodge is recalling 55,517 vehicles of the Durango model. These were built between June 12, 2018, and July 12, 2019. The issue is in the hydraulic control unit of the ABS system. Think of the ABS system as your car's safety net for hard braking. It prevents your wheels from locking up. But when a part inside it fails, it can cause some strange problems. Here's what could go wrong: - The brake lights might come on for no reason. - The engine could start without the brake pedal being pressed. - The system might read pressure incorrectly. All of these are bad news. Imagine walking away from your car and coming back to find it running. Or worse, someone accidentally starting it while you're in the way. ### Why This Happens The hydraulic control unit is like the brain of your ABS. It manages brake fluid pressure. When it's faulty, it can send wrong signals. That's why the brake lights might light up on their own. And since most modern cars require the brake pedal to be pressed before starting, a glitch here can bypass that safety feature. This is not a software bug. It's a hardware defect. That means a physical part needs to be replaced. Dealers will do this for free. But you need to know if your car is affected. ### How to Check if Your Vehicle Is Affected You don't have to wait for a letter in the mail. You can check right now. Here's how: 1. Find your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It's on your dashboard, near the windshield, or on your driver's side door jamb. 2. Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. 3. Enter your VIN in the recall lookup tool. That's it. The site will tell you if your vehicle has any open recalls. You can also check Dodge's official recall page. But using NHTSA is the most reliable way. ### What to Do Next If your car is part of this recall, don't panic. Here's your action plan: - Contact your local Dodge dealer. They'll schedule a free repair. - The fix involves replacing the hydraulic control unit. It usually takes a few hours. - Until then, be extra cautious. Make sure your car is in park and the parking brake is on when you leave it. Some owners worry about driving with this issue. The good news is that the ABS and standard brakes still work. But the starting problem is unpredictable. So it's best to get it fixed as soon as possible. ### A Quick Word on Recalls in General Recalls are more common than you might think. Every year, millions of vehicles are recalled for various reasons. From airbag issues to faulty wiring. The key is to stay informed. You can sign up for recall alerts from NHTSA. Or check your VIN periodically. Remember, recalls are free to fix. And they exist to keep you safe. Ignoring them can lead to serious problems down the road. ### The Bottom Line This Dodge and Jeep recall is a reminder that even well-built cars can have flaws. The ABS fault is a real concern. But it's also an easy fix. Just check your VIN, contact your dealer, and get it sorted. If you're not sure whether your vehicle is affected, don't guess. Take two minutes to check online. It could save you from a dangerous situation. Stay safe out there.