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SEMA 2017 and the new Jeep Wrangler | Autoblog Video Podcast #532

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Reese Counts. We'll talk about the news and hot, modified cars from the 2017 SEMA show in Las Vegas. We'll discuss the new Jeep Wrangler, which was just reveal ahead of the L.A. Auto Show, and the Ram 1500 we have in our fleet. As always, we'll help a listener pick their next vehicle in our "Spend My Money" segment. Autoblog Podcast #532 Your browser does not support the audio element. Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown SEMA Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork Question of the week: What's the best full-size truck? Best cars from Stranger Things Spend my money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Aftermarket Podcasts SEMA Show Jeep RAM Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles Videos SEMA 2017

NHTSA investigating power modules on Chrysler Group SUVs and minivans

The Center for Auto Safety is officially petitioning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin scrutinizing alleged problems with the totally integrated power module (TIPM) on about 24 Chrysler Group SUVs and minivans. The advocacy group claims that the part's failure can cause affected vehicles to stall or not start at all. NHTSA is still looking into the accusations and deciding whether a full investigation is actually warranted.
The CAS petition claims at least 70 TIPM failures, but according to NHTSA, six of the complaints are for models that don't have the modules. In 34 of the reported cases, the vehicles refused to start, and in 17 of them the engine stalled. There were also two allegations of smoke and one of a fire. However, none of these affected airbag deployment or resulted in a crash.
This petition isn't the first TIPM-related problem for Chrysler Group. A recent report in the New York Times alleged that it found 240 complaints potentially related to the issue on NHTSA's website alone. In September, the automaker also recalled 230,760 examples worldwide (188,723 in the US) of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango replace the fuel pump relay circuit inside of the TIPM-7 with one external to the unit. The original part could allegedly cause the models to stall without warning. Even earlier, the company also recalled about 80,000 examples of the Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro in 2007 to have the module reprogrammed.

2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport is here to brighten your day

The 2018 Ram 1500 is the Baskin Robbins of trucks. There's a look and flavor for just about everybody. Whether you want something clean and bright or done up in chrome and gold, there's a Ram for you. Today, Ram revealed another new variant, the 2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport. This bright blue bomber is based on the Sport model, and Ram said this is the final Sport edition model, following trucks like the Sublime Sport. While we haven't heard anything official, we do know a new Ram is coming sometime soon. Like the Sublime Sport, the Hydro Blue Sport takes a standard Ram 1500 Sport and paints nearly every exterior surface in a fantastic shade of blue. No one outside of maybe Lamborghini does paint colors quite like FCA. That's a trait that goes back decades, and we commend the automaker for not following the silver/white/black/beige trend of so many others. All the badging and small horizontal lines in the grille are painted black. The headlights and wheels, too, are dark rather than silver or chrome. The final exterior touch is two black stripes on the Sport's hood. The interior is the exact opposite of the exterior. The mostly black trim is accented with Hydro Blue touches on the vents, center console and doors. The seats have blue Ram badges and stitching. The Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport starts at $47,455 and comes in just one configuration, a crew-cab short-box model with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Two-wheel drive is standard, though four-wheel drive is optional. Optional features include 22-inch (4x2 only) and 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, black side steps, chrome side steps, air suspension, parking sensors and the RamBox bed storage areas. Production will be limited to just 2,000 units in the U.S. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport Design/Style RAM Truck