NHTSA Complaint #10746788 — 2015 JEEP CHEROKEE

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT LOCATED INSIDE A CONCRETE PARKING STRUCTURE. WHILE CONVERSING WITH OTHERS IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE AUTO SHUTOFF ENGAGED. I THOUGHT THE CARE WAS OFF SO I BEGAN TO EXIT THE CAR. WHEN I LET OFF THE BREAK THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE WALL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND BUMPER. MY COMPLAINT IS THE AUTO SHUTOFF FEATURE ON MY JEEP SHOULD BE DEFAULT TO THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED ON BY THE OPERATOR. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENCES WHERE I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES OR IN PARKING LOTS. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUTOFF AUTOMATICALLY AND WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE, OR THE CAR IS STOPPED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THE CAR STARTS AND MOVES FORWARD WITHOUT APPLYING THE THROTTLE BECAUSE YOU ARE IN DRIVE. THIS CAUSES YOU TO REACT TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING IN FRONT OF YOU. I WOULD PREFER TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE MANUALLY IF I NEED IT.