NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA85043
Engineering Analysis · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCEL
SUMMARY: MANUFACTURER CLAIMS MOST REPORTS ARE A SHIFT-FLARE CONDITION OFHIGHER ENGINE SPEEDS DURING THE NO-LOAD SHIFTING TIME INTERVAL.THIS CLAIMDOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE REPORTS.REPORTS DO NOT FOLLOWTHE TYPICAL SCENARIO OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURING WHEN THE VEHICLE ISPLACED INTO A DRIVING MODE.MANY REPORTS OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANY GEARAT ANY SPEED.ALSO SOME REPORTS OF SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE.ANALYSIS: ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SPEED CONTROLLOOP, MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS OCCUR AT SPEEDS WHICH ALLOW TRANSMISSION DIS-ENGAGEMENT.IN ADDITION, THIS TENDS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT TYPE OF FAILUREWHICH IS HARD TO TRACE TO A SINGLE SOURCE/CAUSE/COMPONENT, ALTHOUGH THE ISAMOTOR HAS BEEN CITED BY SEVERAL OF THE CONSUMERS AND FIELD REPRESENTATIVES.STATUS: C-MEMO DRAFT FORWARDED TO (H) 6/16/87.===
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- EA85043
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- Component
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
- Opened
- Aug 21, 1985
- Closed
- Jul 21, 1987
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
4 model years across 2 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.