Investigations
INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA06015 - closed, opened 2006-08-28 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation EA06015 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2006-08-28 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 2007-03-15 - 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 EA06015 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: "THIS INVESTIGATION ORIGINATED FROM COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE AGENCY REPORTING INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) FIRES ON VEHICLES THAT WERE COVERED UNDER A PRIOR RECALL (RECALL 03V528) BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER (DCC) TO CORRECT A CRACKED..." 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
THIS INVESTIGATION ORIGINATED FROM COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE AGENCY REPORTING INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) FIRES ON VEHICLES THAT WERE COVERED UNDER A PRIOR RECALL (RECALL 03V528) BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER (DCC) TO CORRECT A CRACKED CAPACITOR IN THE IP. DCC HAS NOW IDENTIFIED ANOTHER CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING OF AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS INTERIOR LIGHTING. THIS CONDITION AFFECTS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. DCC'S MARCH 6, 2007 LETTER TO THE AGENCY STATES, "UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MAY OVERHEAT AND RESULT IN AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE. DCC WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO INSPECT THE CLUSTER FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. IF THE CLUSTER SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE, IT WILL BE RE-FLASHED [RE-PROGRAM THE CLUSTER] TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION. IN ADDITION, ALL VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE A WIRING MODIFICATION THAT DIRECTS THE INTERIOR LIGHTING TO A PORTION OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH ADDITIONAL CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY." THIS RECALL COVERS 328,424 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 4/03/03 THROUGH 6/30/06. SEE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V092 FOR DETAILS.
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.