Investigations by Make
Chrysler Investigations
7 investigations. 4 open. 3 closed.
Investigation Records
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of alleged defects related to the electric power steering (EPS) system in model year (MY) 2017â2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. Complainants allege that during these events, increased steering effort is required to return the wheel to center. In many cases, this is followed by a sudden reactivation of EPS assistance, which may result in an oversteer condition. This behavior could increase the risk of a crash, especially at higher speeds. ODI has identified multiple VOQs describing similar symptoms. This investigation will assess the frequency, root cause, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged EPS malfunction. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023 Model Years (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown. An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In discussions with FCA on Recall 23V-010, ODI confirmed the recall was related to investigation PE22-008.  The remedy for 23V-010 is to update the Power Inverter module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating âStop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soonâ followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter
Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077)
On February 11, 2022, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-077) on all 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016 through August 7, 2018. The recall addresses ignition âOFFâ fires that originate at the high voltage (HV) battery pack assembly. An ignition âOFFâ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. At the time of the recall filing the root cause of the vehicle fires was unknown and under investigation by FCA and suppliers. A software remedy designed to improve thermal event detectability by monitoring battery diagnostics is currently being installed on subject vehicles as an interim remedy. As of November 23, 2023, the root cause of the battery failure is unknown. From December 2022 through December 2023, NHTSA has received four consumer complaints (VOQs) alleging vehicle thermal events involving recalled 2017 and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs. Additional information collected from complainants confirmed a thermal event originating near or at the HV battery pack after the Recall 2
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) manufactured from August 12, 2016 through January 9, 2023. FCA determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with FCA confirmed this defect results in an electric motor position trouble code that was the basis for opening PE22008, therefore NHTSA is closing this investigation. The 23V-010 recall remedy is a software update to address the hardware failure associated with PE22008. When a hardware failure is detected, the vehicle limits motive power while instructing the driver to pull over to a safe location. NHTSA is concerned that drivers will pull over to an unsafe location when the warning message associated with the recall remed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators us
Stall/Loss of Motive Power
By letter dated November 30, 2017, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting it open an investigation into allegations of engine stalling in the model year (MY) 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, a new vehicle platform. In support of its petition, CAS cited 57 NHTSA complaints alleging an engine stall in the subject Pacifica vehicles, in addition to other information it provided.On December 1, 2017, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Defect Petition 17-003 as requested by CAS.ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the manufacturer of the subject Pacifica vehicles, on December 12, 2017 requesting information related to engine stalling in Pacificas.The letter requested FCA provide the information by January 23, 2018.On January 11, 2018, and after technical discussions with ODI, FCA filed a defect information report advising the agency that it would conduct a safety recall of certain MY2017 Chrysler Pacificas to address a condition resulting in engine stalling without warning.The recall would address nearly 154,000 MY2017 Pacificas manufactured with engine control software that did not
Software security vulnerability
On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query, RQ 15-004, to investigate HU security vulnerabilities and remedy effectiveness in the recalled population and to determine whether similar units have been supplied for use in other FCA vehicles.In an August 11, 2015 letter, FCA submitted a second Part 573 safety recall report expanding the scope of the Uconnect RA4 model radio to include additional 7,810 MY 2015 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured from September 18, 2014 through June 25, 2015 (Recall 15V-508).Scope analysis indicated that Uconnect radios installed in FCA vehicles not included in recalls 15V-461 or 15V-508 (subject recalls) are not equipped with built-in cellular access or short range wireless communication features and, thus, do not contain the security vulnerabilities addressed by the subject recalls. SUBJECT VEHICLES: MY2014 through 201