[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 83 (Friday, April 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25023-25026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10630]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP00-002

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect investigation.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a 
petition submitted to NHTSA under 49 U.S.C. 30162, requesting that the 
agency commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect 
related to motor

[[Page 25024]]

vehicle safety. The petition is hereinafter identified as DP00-002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. George Chiang, Office of Defects 
Investigation (ODI), NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590. Telephone: (202) 366-5206.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Mr. Edward C. Kerr of Martens & Associates, 
Ltd. in Buffalo Grove, IL, submitted a petition to NHTSA by letter 
dated January 18, 2000, requesting that a new investigation be 
initiated or Engineering Analysis EA99-027 be extended in its scope to 
determine whether to issue an order concerning the notification and 
remedy of a defect in model year 1991 and later DamlerChrysler 
corporation (former Chrysler Corporation) vehicles equipped with an 
ignition switch assembly characterized by having a lighted plastic ring 
around the key cylinder assembly (subject vehicles). The petitioner 
alleges that the subject vehicles' ignition switch assembly allows 
particles/debris to fall inside, which could interfere with the switch 
contact operation. This may cause electrical anomalies resulting in 
overheating and fire. The fires, the petitioner alleges, can occur 
without warning in both moving and parked vehicles.
    ODI requested and obtained from DaimlerChrysler Corporation a 
listing of the subject vehicle models and populations. ODI also 
conducted a search of consumer complaints reported to NHTSA alleging 
that a thermal event (fire, smoke, melt, burn, overheat, etc.) occurred 
in the steering column and/or ignition switch areas of the subject 
vehicles. Further, ODI calculated the exposure complaint rate, i.e., 
the number of complaints per 100,000 vehicles per year, for each model 
and model year of the subject vehicles, and found that: (1) For a given 
subject vehicle model year, the exposure complaint rates vary 
significantly across all the subject vehicle models, (2) for a given 
subject vehicle model, the exposure complaint rates vary significantly 
across the subject vehicle model years, and (3) the exposure complaint 
rate was zero (no complaint reported) for many model/model year subject 
vehicles. Therefore, contrary to the petitioner's claim, the subject 
vehicles do not appear to have a common ignition switch related problem 
which would cause a fire. (See Attachments 1 through 3).
    In Attachment 3, it is noted that the model year 1995 Dodge spirit 
has the highest exposure complaint rate. However, the rate represents 
only three complaints received over a span of three years. Also, there 
have been no complaints received in nearly 2 years. Further, no similar 
complaints have been received on the model year 1995 Plymouth Acclaim 
which is built on the same body platform as the model year 1995 Dodge 
Spirit. Due to the small number of complaints and lack of recent 
complaints, no investigation has been opened on these vehicles 
concerning thermal events in the steering column and/or ignition switch 
areas.
    It is also noted that the model year 1994 and 1995 Dodge Ram 
Pickups have a higher number of complaints (compared with other 
DaimlerChrysler vehicles shown in Attachment 2) and have the second and 
third highest exposure complaint rates. These vehicles currently are 
the subject of an ODI investigation, EA99-027. At this time, that 
investigation is focused on allegations that the ignition switch wiring 
harness overheats when operating the blower motor, resulting in smoke, 
melting of the surrounding plastic, or fire. A copy of this petition 
has been included in that investigation file.
    In view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that NHTSA would issue an 
order for the notification and remedy of the alleged safety-related 
defect as defined by the petition in the subject vehicles at the 
conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition. Therefore, 
in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited 
resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition 
is denied.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR 
1.50 and 501.8.

Kenneth N. Weinstein,
Associate Administrator for Safety Assurance.

 Attachment 1.--Populations of Model Year 1991 and Later Model Chrysler Product Line Vehicles Equipped With an Ignition Switch Assembly Characterized by
                                             Having a Lighted Plastic Ring Around the Key Cylinder Assembly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Vehicle make     Vehicle line      MY 91       MY 92       MY 93       MY 94       MY 95       MY 96       MY 97       MY 98       MY 99      MY 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chrysler......  Acclaim........      95,314      99,420      70,914      71,590      23,768  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Spirit.........     114,905      66,905      76,509      68,382      24,566  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Lebaron........      57,596      54,486      59,282      63,122      35,859  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Dynasty........     112,460      85,239      58,404  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  New Yorker.....      14,354      17,237      20,855  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Imperial.......      51,185      41,486      33,587  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Daytona........      17,523      10,941       9,070  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Plymouth......  Sundance.......      57,298      65,554      74,612      65,477  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Shadow.........      82,633      79,409     102,428      89,460  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Viper..........  ..........         238         915       2,409       1,430       1,815       1,556       1,072       1,048          484
Plymouth......  Prowler........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........      404.00         n/a       3,690        1,374
Plymouth......  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Plymouth......  Breeze.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........      46,725      70,710         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Stratus........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........      47,978     100,010      97,745         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Cirrus.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........      62,014      43,743      28,112         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Sebring          ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........      56,030      50,869      46,772       29,466
                 Convertible.
Dodge.........  Intrepid.......  ..........  ..........      70,160     130,603     152,579     146,826     152,314         n/a         n/a          n/a
Eagle.........  Vision.........  ..........  ..........      28,749      22,119      25,157      12,849       5,897         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Concorde, LHS,   ..........  ..........      49,530     171,090     102,707      89,730      88,132         n/a         n/a          n/a
                 NY, 300M.
Plymouth......  Voyager........     145,684     189,013     211,156     224,558     166,401     183,899     150,163     156,508     150,194       72,364
Dodge.........  Caravan........     184,878     235,958     272,489     283,956     217,736     348,978     292,046     296,787     309,492      183,958
Chrysler......  Town and              2,244      13,205      26,059      37,884      12,897     107,400      79,444      76,694      68,330       61,399
                 Country.

[[Page 25025]]

 
Dodge.........  Ram Wagon......      56,901      69,239      31,736     129,230      75,108      85,887      98,829         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Dakota.........      73,162     125,714     131,611     102,750     117,991      98,200     128,785     152,496     134,192          n/a
Dodge.........  Ram Pickup.....      88,769      74,944      76,241     188,097     267,241     362,880     375,061     410,815     406,057          n/a
Dodge.........  Durango........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........     123,099     204,194          n/a
Jeep..........  Commanche......         n/a         n/a  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Jeep..........  Wrangler.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a     127,295      91,392      85,794       54,246
Jeep..........  Cherokee.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a     187,345         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Jeep..........  Grand Cherokee.  ..........  ..........     224,359     227,602     265,848     284,641     262,133     251,758     288,757      173,042
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Total..........   1,154,906   1,228,988   1,628,666   1,878,329   1,599,280   2,100,928   2,014,654   1,611,490   1,698,520      576,333
                                ========================================================================================================================
                Grand total....  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  15,492,094
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 `n/a'--model/model year vehicle not equipped with an ignition switch characterized by having a lighted plastic ring around the key cylinder assembly.
 Empty cell block--model/model year vehicle not produced.


   Attachment 2.--Number of Consumer Complaints Received by NHTSA as of March 2, 2000, Alleging a Thermal Event Occurred in the Steering Column and/or
                                                                  Ignition Switch Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Vehicle make     Vehicle line      MY 91       MY 92       MY 93       MY 94       MY 95       MY 96       MY 97       MY 98       MY 99      MY 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plymouth......  Acclaim........           3           4           1           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Spirit.........           3           3           5           1           3  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Lebaron........           0           3           0           1           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Dynasty........           1           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  New Yorker.....           0           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Imperial.......           0           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Daytona........           0           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Plymouth......  Sundance.......           0           2           1           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Shadow.........           0           0           0           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Viper..........  ..........           0           0           0           0           0           0           0           0            0
Plymouth......  Prowler........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           0         n/a           0            0
Plymouth......  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Plymouth......  Breeze.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Stratus........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           0           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Cirrus.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           2           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Sebring          ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           0           0           0            0
                 Convertible.
Dodge.........  Intrepid.......  ..........  ..........           0           0           0           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Eagle.........  Vision.........  ..........  ..........           0           0           0           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Concorde, LHS,            0           0           1           2           0           0           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
                 NY, 300M.
Plymouth......  Voyager........           1           1           0           0           0           1           0           0           0            0
Dodge.........  Caravan........           0           0           0           0           0           0           0           0           0            0
Chrysler......  Town and                  0           0           0           0           0           0           0           0           0            0
                 Country.
Dodge.........  Ram Wagon......           3           3           0           0           0           1           0         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Dakota.........           0           2           0           1           0           0           0           0           0          n/a
Dodge.........  Ram Pickup.....           1           2           0          20          18           1           0           0           0          n/a
Dodge.........  Durango........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........           0           0          n/a
Jeep..........  Commanche......         n/a         n/a  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Jeep..........  Wrangler.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a           0           0           0            0
Jeep..........  Cherokee.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a           2         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Jeep..........  Grand Cherokee.  ..........  ..........           1           0           0           0           0           0           0           0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 `n/a'--model/model year vehicle not equipped with an ignition switch characterized by having a lighted plastic ring around the key cylinder assembly.
 Empty cell block--model/model year vehicle not produced.


Attachment 3.--Exposure Compliant Rate (the Number of Complaints per 100K Vehicles per Year) of an Alleged Thermal Event Occurred in the Steering Column
                                                              and/or Ignition Switch Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Vehicle make     Vehicle line      MY 91       MY 92       MY 93       MY 94       MY 95       MY 96       MY 97       MY 98       MY 99      MY  2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plymouth......  Acclaim........        .034        .048        .019        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Spirit.........        0.28        0.54        0.89        0.23        2.29  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Lebaron........        0.00        0.66        0.00        0.25        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Dynasty........        0.09        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  New Yorker.....        0.00        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Chrysler......  Imperial.......        0.00        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Daytona........        0.00        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........

[[Page 25026]]

 
Plymouth......  Sundance.......        0.00        0.37        0.18        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Shadow.........        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Dodge.........  Viper..........  ..........        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
Plymouth......  Prowler........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.00         n/a        0.00         0.00
Plymouth......  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Neon...........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Plymouth......  Breeze.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Stratus........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Cirrus.........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.60        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Sebring          ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
                 Convertible.
Dodge.........  Intrepid.......  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Eagle.........  Vision.........  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Chrysler......  Concorde, LHS,         0.00        0.00        0.28        0.18        0.00        0.00        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
                 NY, 300M.
Plymouth......  Voyager........        0.07        0.06        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.12        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
Dodge.........  Caravan........        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
Chrysler......  Town and               0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
                 Country.
Dodge.........  Ram Wagon......        0.56        0.52        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.27        0.00         n/a         n/a          n/a
Dodge.........  Dakota.........        0.00        0.19        0.00        0.15        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00          n/a
Dodge.........  Ram Pickup.....        0.12        0.32        0.00        1.68        1.26        0.06        0.00        0.00        0.00          n/a
Dodge.........  Durango........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.00        0.00          n/a
Jeep..........  Commanche......         n/a         n/a  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ...........
Jeep..........  Wrangler.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a        0.00        0.00        0.00         0.00
Jeep..........  Cherokee.......         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a         n/a        0.25         n/a         n/a         n/a          n/a
Jeep..........  Grand Cherokee.  ..........  ..........        0.06        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`n/a'--model/model year vehicle not equipped with an ignition switch characterized by having a lighted plastic ring around the key cylinder assembly.
Empty cell block--model/model year vehicle not produced.

[FR Doc. 00-10630 Filed 4-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M