After a bit of research it's called "Auto-park"...several other FCA vehicles have the same "safety" feature. I'll have to try keeping my foot on the brake to see if it makes any difference. Similar safety feature in some BMW's and Mercs.
"FCA describes
AutoPark “as an enhanced securement strategy which places the vehicle in “PARK” if the driver attempts to exit the vehicle before placing the gear shift selector in the "PARK" position.” Aug 9, 2018
http://www.safetyresearch.net/blog/...faction-notification”-campaigns-why-no-recall
How to avoid or work around the Auto Park feature
“I was surprised by this just yesterday. Picked up my new 2017 Longhorn last Friday, learning to use everything. I was trying to pull to the very edge of my driveway, so I opened the door to look down. Bang ! Auto-park, truck won't move until you close the door and cycle the gear knob to P and back to R or D. I would really like to disable this.”
An engineer, from Michigan, was quick to explain how to work around the auto park feature on the 2017 Ram 1500. “For parking maneuvers (assuming the truck will creep on its own without throttle input), you should be able to just keep one foot lightly on the brake pedal and thereby avoid auto-Park.”
Grizz, from Canada, says he has been able to lean out of his truck, but always with his foot on the brake. “I do this all the time. I am backing up and the park sense lets me know that I am in the red zone then I pop open the door and back up some more so my truck is not sticking out in the parkade at work. I don't take my foot off the brake as I want to move very slow.”
Presumably, this same approach would work with all of the Fiat-Chrysler vehicles that have the new safety feature".