Investigations
TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE96070 - closed, opened 1996-11-26 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE96070 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1996-11-26 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 1997-05-15 - 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 PE96070 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: "CHRYSLER WILL RECALL CERTAIN 1994-97 RAM PICKUP AND RAM VAN/WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBES USING QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS WITH PLASTIC RETAINERS. THE RECALL WILL REPL..." 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
CHRYSLER WILL RECALL CERTAIN 1994-97 RAM PICKUP AND RAM VAN/WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER TUBES USING QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS WITH PLASTIC RETAINERS. THE RECALL WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER SUPPLY (HOT) TUBES WITH PARTS INCORPORATING STAINLESS STEEL RETAINERS. CHRYSLER ESTIMATES THAT APPROXIMATELY 960,000 VEHICLES ARE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY THE SUBJECT CONDITION. THE ATTACHED TABLE SUMMARIZES THE RECALL SCOPE.
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.