Investigations
Brake Power Assist Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE15024 - closed, opened 2015-06-18 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE15024 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2015-06-18 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 2015-12-09 - 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 PE15024 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 November 24, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US LLC, (FCA), submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a brake booster defect in approximately 105,458 model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Dodge Dart..." 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
On November 24, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US LLC, (FCA), submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a brake booster defect in approximately 105,458 model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 2.4L engine and produced between February 27, 2012 and January 23, 2014 (NHTSA Recall# 15V-800, FCA Recall# R63). According to FCA's DIR, the affected vehicles, "may experience engine oil migration from the vacuum pump to the brake booster. Brake booster diaphragms exposed to oil may become damaged, resulting in a loss of brake power assist." FCA's recall will inspect the affected vehicles for the presence of engine oil in the brake booster. If no oil is found, the vacuum tube assembly will be replaced with a new design part. If oil is found, the vacuum pump, vacuum tube assembly, brake booster and master cylinder will be replaced. On June 18, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigations opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-024 to investigate complaints alleging sudden increases in brake pedal effort with corresponding reductions in brake performance in MY 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles. The vehicle population and Failure Report figures in this resume are limited to the MY 2013 Dodge Dart vehicles that are the subject vehicles of PE15-024 all of which are included in the FCA recall. Some of the complaints reported hearing a "popping" noise during a brake application, which corresponded with sudden reaction force from the brake pedal, increased difficulty in applying the pedal and decreased brake effectiveness. FCA's analysis of field return booster assemblies indicated that some brake booster diaphragms exposed to the engine oil leak condition experienced sudden catastrophic ruptures, resulting in complete loss of booster function. This investigation is hereby closed based on the FCA recall. The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10795258, 10795140, 10790670, 10790397, 10786152, 10786142, 10783492, 1078
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.