Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, NHTSA NEWS—ODI INVESTIGATION—ODI opens recall query into Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles, (Mar 1, 2024)

By Susan Engstrom

The agency has received 132 reports alleging loss of motive power in previously remedied vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a recall query to assess the remedy of a safety recall (23V010) addressing engine shutdowns in 2017-2023 Model Year (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. ODI found that the recall may not adequately remedy the stated defect in the recall filing. An estimated 67,177 vehicles are potentially involved (NHTSA ODI Investigation, No. RQ24004, February 27, 2024).

Background. In 2022, ODI opened a preliminary evaluation (PE22-008) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in 2019-2021 MY Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs. In January 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued the recall in question (23V010), which stated that the loss of motive power condition in 2017-2023 MY Pacifica PHEVs was caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short-circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown. This can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In discussions with FCA, ODI confirmed that the recall was related to the preliminary evaluation.

Recall remedy. The remedy for 23V010 is to update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter knob), low SOC (State of Charge) warning, and reduced power mode. The recall remedy does not replace the defective hardware that was described in the recall, and the wiring connector short still exists on these vehicles.

Complaints. To date, ODI has received 132 reports for the population of vehicles subject to recall 23V010. These reports allege a loss of motive power condition that reduces the vehicle’s speed, followed by dashboard warning lamps displaying messages associated with recall 23V010. The presence of these warning lamps and messages indicates the vehicle likely had the recall remedy applied.

Recall query. Follow-up discussions with FCA confirmed that the recall remedy does not prevent a loss of motive power, but instead limits torque to the engine and, after an unspecified number of miles or period of time, the engine will shut down. When this occurs, FCA relies on the owner to transport the vehicle to a dealership, at which time the defective hardware is replaced. In addition, the dashboard messages introduced in the recall remedy may cause the driver to pull over in an unsafe location, which could expose the occupants to undue harm. ODI opened this recall query to assess the adequacy, frequency, and safety consequence of the remedy for recall 23V010.

Companies: FCA US, LLC

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