Investigations
Engine stall, fuel delivery failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE12032 - closed, opened 2012-10-15 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE12032 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2012-10-15 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 2013-05-03 - 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 PE12032 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: "In a letter dated April 3, 2013, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA identifying a safety defect in the fuel delivery system in approximately 20,532 model year (MY) 2012 Jeep Patriot (..." 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
In a letter dated April 3, 2013, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA identifying a safety defect in the fuel delivery system in approximately 20,532 model year (MY) 2012 Jeep Patriot (11,624) and Compass (8,908) vehicles manufactured from October 18, 2011 through May 7, 2012 and equipped with certain fuel tanks produced between October 18, 2011 and January 26, 2012 (Recall 13V-120). According to Chrysler, Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles equipped with saddle type fuel tanks built during the affected period may experience low siphoning rate through the transfer tube from the secondary to the primary side of the fuel tank. Chrysler's investigation determined that a material change by the transfer tube supplier (TI Automotive) led to malformed tubes being shipped to the final tank assembly supplier (Kautex). The malformed transfer tubes may make the siphoning process more difficult to start and maintain under certain operating conditions. Sustained driving during this condition may deplete fuel in the primary side of the fuel tank and lead to engine stall without warning. Kautex established a 100% sort on January 26, 2012 as a countermeasure for the malformed tubes being used in production. Chrysler is able to trace fuel tank build dates by vehicle identification number and Recall 13V-120 only includes vehicles equipped with saddle tanks made during the affected period. Approximately 97 percent of the recalled Patriot vehicles (11,277 out of 11,624) were from October 18, 2011 through January 26, 2012. Chrysler determined that a few suspect tanks were used on vehicles produced as late as May 7, 2012 and is including any such vehicles in the recall. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Chrysler as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify stalling incidents related to fuel delivery. ODI's analysis identified a total of 64 engine stall incidents related to fuel delivery, all
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.