NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE10032
Preliminary Evaluation · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
Fuel Spill During Refueling
ODI found the rate of warranty claims related to fuel spit back on the subject vehicles is lower than other vehicles previously recalled to correct defects related to fuel spit back.Although the rate of complaints reported to the agency on the subject vehicles is higher than or similar to the rates experienced in previous investigations where safety recalls were conducted, ODI suspects that the NHTSA safety complaints submitted by subject vehicles owners may have been influenced by internet related publicity both before and during this investigation.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See attached report for additional information.In addition, Chrysler is initiating a lifetime warranty program, at no cost to the consumer, to address the fuel spit back problem in approximately 135,000 model year 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler vehicles built from March 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008.Chrysler will notify all affected vehicle owners of this action.Consumers should refer to the warranty and service bulletins and sample owner notification letter available in the investigative file.The vehicle build date can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door jamb.
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
- PE10032
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- Component
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Opened
- Aug 23, 2010
- Closed
- Feb 16, 2011
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
12 model years across 7 models
- Jeep Wrangler
- Jeep Wrangler 2-Dr 4X4
- Jeep Wrangler 2-Dr 4X4 Rhd
- Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X2
- Jeep Wrangler 4-Dr 4X4
- Jeep Wrangler Sahara
- Jeep Wrangler X Rhd 4X4
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.