Investigations
IGNITION SWITCH
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE99031 — closed, opened 1999-05-05 and involving the DODGE DODGE.
NHTSA investigation PE99031 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1999-05-05 and currently closed. The subject of record is DODGE DODGE, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for DODGE. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1999-09-10 — 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 PE99031 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: "ODI HAS RECEIVED 33 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1994-1996 DODGE RAM TRUCKS. THE ROOT CAUSE IS AN EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED. A RE..." 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 DODGE files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI HAS RECEIVED 33 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1994-1996 DODGE RAM TRUCKS. THE ROOT CAUSE IS AN EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED. A REVIEW OF OWNER COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FIRE, SMOKE, MELTING OF SURROUNDING PLASTICS, STALLING AND THE ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHTS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE AND IMPLEMENTED A DESIGN CHANGE TO REDUCE THE CURRENT DRAW THROUGH THE SWITCH. THIS DESIGN CHANGE INVOLVED THE INSTALLATION OF A RELAY IN THE BLOWER MOTOR CIRCUITRY FOR ALL RAM TRUCKS BUILT AFTER MARCH 15, 1996. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ALSO MADE AVAILABLE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPAIR PACKAGE (PN 4874996) WHICH INCLUDES THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO UPGRADE VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ALSO ISSUED A CORRESPONDENCE TO ITS ZONES INSTRUCTING TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE FAILED IGNITION SWITCHES WITH THE SERVICE KIT ONLY. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS NECESSARY TO DETERMIN IF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS.
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 DODGE Investigations
Vehicle entrapment
Back up camera failure
Vehicle entrapment
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.