Investigations
Central Electronic Module Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10025 — closed, opened 2010-07-20 and involving the VOLVO VOLVO.
NHTSA investigation PE10025 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-07-20 and currently closed. The subject of record is VOLVO VOLVO, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for VOLVO. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-11-22 — 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 PE10025 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: "Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment. When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and trac..." 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 VOLVO files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment. When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the Central Electronic Module (CEM), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation. If the water reaches the CEM connector electrical faults may result. In response to such faults the CEM, a microprocessor controlled device, will attempt to reset by temporarily shutting down (for 100 milliseconds, or 0.1 seconds) and restarting; this effects various CEM functions including the instrument panel (IP) display, gauges, wipers and also the transmission gear (if it is in the overdrive range). During the reset owners may experience temporarily loss of the IP displays and an abnormal 'jerking' in the transmission/drivetrain. If the problem persist for 6 consecutive restart attempts, the CEM will enter a 'Limp Home' mode that disables non-essential electrical functions yet maintain safety critical functions such as low-beam headlights, low-speed wiper operation, brake lights, and non-overdrive transmission operation. Warning and error messages will also be illuminated in the IP display. Consumers reported experiencing conditions consistent with CEM resetting and the limp mode operation in their reports to both ODI and Volvo. No reports or allegations of crash or injury associated with possible CEM failures have been reported by Volvo or otherwise identified by ODI. Volvo revised the design of the wiring grommet (sealing device) and the plenum cover starting in May 2005 and October 2005 production dates respectively, the occurrence of the condition effectively ended after these changes. A technical service bulletin (TNN 37-35) has been published to diagnose and repair earlier production vehicles using the improved wiring grommet and/or new plenu
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.
Other VOLVO Investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
Windshield Wiper Failures
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
FUEL PUMP LEAK
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.