Investigations
SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04049 - closed, opened 2004-07-07.
NHTSA investigation PE04049 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-07-07 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-11-05 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE04049 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ON JULY 7, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING AN INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE STARTING IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPEAKER. DAIMLERCHRYS..." 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.
Investigation Summary
ON JULY 7, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING AN INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE STARTING IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPEAKER. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) INFORMED ODI THAT CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DRIP ONTO THE RADIO AND INTO VENT HOLES ON TOP OF THE RADIO. THIS CAN RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT SENDING DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS AND CAUSE A SPEAKER FIRE. THE CONDITION IS PRESENT ONLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BASE RADIO. SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH OTHER OPTION RADIOS CONTAIN CIRCUIT PROTECTION THAT PREVENTS SENDING DIRECT CURRENT TO THE SPEAKERS AND ARE NOT AFFECTED. ALL NINE COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO VEHICLES WITH THE BASE RADIO. BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2004, DCC NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA# 04V531) COVERING MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 DODGE CARAVAN, GRAND CARAVAN, CHRYSLER VOYAGER, AND TOWN & COUNTRY MODELS WITH BASE RADIO ONLY (EST. 238,000 VEHICLES). DCC DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. THE ACTION TAKEN BY DCC IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
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.