Investigations
Engine stall
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE12016 - closed, opened 2012-06-18 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE12016 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2012-06-18 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 2012-10-15 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE12016 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: "During PE12-016, Chrysler identified a condition in model year (MY) 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines that may result in engine stall when stopped or travelling at very low speeds. A..." 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
During PE12-016, Chrysler identified a condition in model year (MY) 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines that may result in engine stall when stopped or travelling at very low speeds. According to Chrysler, this condition occurs when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) initiates a purge monitor check while the engine is at idle which can result in an overly rich vapor condition and cause the engine to stall while stopped. Chrysler developed a software countermeasure to address the condition and has initiated a customer satisfaction campaign to reprogram the PCM on all affected vehicles. The bulletin was sent to dealers on September 28, 2012 and the owner letter mailing began on October 5, 2012. See the investigative file for copies of Chrysler's bulletin and owner letter. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaints related to engine stall that were provided by Chrysler or submitted to ODI from consumers. The predominant failure mode identified involved stalling when stopped or travelling at low speeds. The complaint counts shown in this resume include incidents in which enough detail was available to verify the symptoms were related to the defect condition identified by Chrysler. Two complaints alleged engine stall resulting in collisions, one involving very minor damage and one involving a single vehicle road departure crash in which the vehicle was totalled. In the first incident, the vehicle stalled while stopped at an intersection and rolled back into a following vehicle resulting in a minor scratch in the rear bumper. In the second incident, the vehicle was totalled from damage sustained from striking a tree after failing to negotiate a sharp turn in wet road conditions. The police report does not include any references to stalling as a cause or contributor, but cites excessive speed entering the turn. Although there was evidence or prior history with stalling when stopped, there is no evidence that engine st
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 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.