Investigations
ALLEGED FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE96044 - closed, opened 1996-06-27 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE96044 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1996-06-27 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 1996-11-29 - 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 PE96044 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 1994, CHRYSLER INTRODUCTED A PLASTIC FUEL TANK, THAT WAS SHAPED DIFFERENTLY FROM THE METAL TANK IT REPLACED. DUE TO THE DIFFERENT SHAPE OF THE NEW TANK, GLAVAL HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH SCREWS, THAT IT INSTALLS, RUPTURIN..." 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 1994, CHRYSLER INTRODUCTED A PLASTIC FUEL TANK, THAT WAS SHAPED DIFFERENTLY FROM THE METAL TANK IT REPLACED. DUE TO THE DIFFERENT SHAPE OF THE NEW TANK, GLAVAL HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH SCREWS, THAT IT INSTALLS, RUPTURING THE FUEL TANK. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED DURING EARLY PRODUCTION AND GLAVAL CORRECTED THE SUBJECT UNITS PRIOR TO SHIPPING. GLAVAL ALSO DESIGNED A NEW TEMPLATE TO CORRECTLY LOCATE THE SCREWS TO MISS THE NEW STYLE TANK. EVIDENTLY A FEW EARLY PRODUCTION VEHICLES WERE NOT CAUGHT OR HAD SCREWS INSTALLED WITH THE WRONG TEMPLATE. ALL BUT ONE OF THESE VEHICLES WERE REPORTED AND CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY IN 1994. ONLY ONE REPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED SINCE 1994. NO. CRASH OR FIRE OCCURRED AND GLAVAL PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS SINGLE UNIT. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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.