July 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration said on Wednesday it opened a recall query

into about 299,000 vehicles from Chrysler parent Stellantis ( STLA )

, after receiving complaints about faulty shifter

cable bushings.

A bushing, usually made of rubber, connects the shifter

cable to the transmission system, allowing the vehicle to change

gears. If the bushing is damaged or missing, the vehicle could

move in an unexpected direction.

The auto safety agency said Fiat Chrysler in April 2019 had

issued a recall on certain Dodge Dart vehicles produced between

February 2012 and October 2014 in order to replace the bushing.

The updated part prevented deterioration from chemicals, oils,

and solvents.

However, the NHTSA received 44 consumer complaints alleging

worn, misadjusted or detached shifter cables after the recall

remedy was completed.

The NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation launched

the latest investigation to evaluate whether the original recall

fix was effective, determine what caused the bushing failures,

and explore any other factors that could impact how the shifter

cable functions.

A recall query is an investigation opened by safety

regulators when a remedy to solve an issue appears inadequate.