Investigations
SmartPlex Multiplexer Module Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13001 - closed, opened 2013-01-15.
NHTSA investigation PE13001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-01-15 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-04-11 - 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 PE13001 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: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles may allegedly experience a SmartPlex electronic multiplexing swit..." 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
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles may allegedly experience a SmartPlex electronic multiplexing switch hub module failure. This failure may result in inadvertent activation of accessory equipment such as external lighting, outriggers, crane, or power takeoff. By letter dated March 1, 2013, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) notified ODI that it has initiated a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-074 and DTNA Recall No. FL-639) to address a safety defect in approximately 161 model year (MY) 2012 through 2013 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD and Business Class M2 trucks. The affected population was manufactured from December 3, 2011 through October 12, 2012 and originally equipped with a certain SmartPlex electronic multiplexing switch hub module with a suspect serial number. According to DTNA, unpassivated flux residue may be present on the printed circuit board assembly in the switch hub module. Under certain heat and humidity conditions, this flux residue may lead to intermittent short circuits, thereby activating certain outputs in the switch hub module. According to DTNA, they identified the issue with the switch hub module on vehicles undergoing the assembly process. DTNA states they have not received any customer or field reports related to the switch hub module. To date, ODI is unaware of any switch hub module failures on in-service vehicles. DTNA will notify affected owners by mail no later than April 29, 2013. Affected vehicles will be inspected and if the switch hub module is in the suspect range the module will be replaced. Repairs will be performed by DTNA authorized service facilities. 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.