Investigations
ENGINE STALLING
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA04022 - closed, opened 2004-08-09 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation EA04022 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2004-08-09 and currently closed. The subject of record is CHRYSLER CHRYSLER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CHRYSLER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-08-19 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA04022 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO EXAMINE STALLING ALLEGATIONS ON 1998-2002 CUMMINS 5.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION ODI FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS USED IN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES, MEDI..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related CHRYSLER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO EXAMINE STALLING ALLEGATIONS ON 1998-2002 CUMMINS 5.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION ODI FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS USED IN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, LIGHT TRUCKS, RV'S, AND CARGO VANS. ODI CONTACTED CUMMINS AND CHRYSLER (LARGEST VEHICLE MANUFACTURER), VISITED SCHOOL BUS FLEETS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS AND CONDUCTED TESTING OF "LIGHT" VEHICLES TO QUANTIFY THE FAILURE MODE. ODI OBSERVED THAT THE "LIFT PUMP," A PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, FAILS, RESULTING IN REDUCED FLOW TO THE INJECTOR PUMP. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES SEVERE DRIVABILITY ISSUES, SUCH AS LOW SPEED, LOW POWER, SMOKING AND POOR ACCELERATION. HEAVIER VEHICLES SUCH AS SCHOOL BUSES WITH A GVWR OF 33,000 POUNDS MAY EXPERIENCE A STALL. ODI VERIFIED VIA INTERVIEWS THAT SOME SCHOOL BUSES ACTUALLY STALLED RESULTING IN THE TRANSFER OF STUDENTS ON THE ROADSIDE. ODI'S TESTING SHOWED THAT "LIGHT" VEHICLES WOULD SUFFER THE SEVERE DRIVABILITY ISSUES AND THEN GRADUALLY RECOVER. A "LIGHT" VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS FOR AN HOUR WITHOUT A TRUE ENGINE STALL OCCURRING. ODI'S TECHNICAL REPORT, WHICH CONTAINS FULL DETAILS, AND A COPY OF THE CUMMINS RECALL ARE ATTACHED.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other CHRYSLER Investigations
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.