Investigations
CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE97043 - closed, opened 1997-10-20 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation PE97043 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1997-10-20 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 1998-02-27 - 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 PE97043 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: "ALL THREE KNOWN FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLES WERE TOWING A HEAVY TRAILER LOAD UP A GRADE ON A HOT DAY. AT LEAST THREE OF THE INCIDENT VEHICLE REPAIRS INVOLVED ALTERATIONS TO THE HEAT SHIELDING AND/OR CLUTCH TU..." 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
ALL THREE KNOWN FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLES WERE TOWING A HEAVY TRAILER LOAD UP A GRADE ON A HOT DAY. AT LEAST THREE OF THE INCIDENT VEHICLE REPAIRS INVOLVED ALTERATIONS TO THE HEAT SHIELDING AND/OR CLUTCH TUBE RETENTION. CHRYSLER HAS FURNISHED TEST DATA TO SHOW THAT THE SYSTEM DESIGN PROVIDES ADEQUATE HEAT SHIELDING FOR PROPERLY POSITIONED CLUTCH TUBES UNDER ALL ANTICIPATED OPERATION CONDITIONS. CHRYSLER IS CONTINUING TO ASSESS FACTORS (E.G., TUBE ROUTING) WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO FIELD FAILURES.
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.