Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE12020 | Chrysler Group LLC | 07/19/2012 | 12/07/2012 | Power steering hose failure | ||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed complaint data provided by chrysler as well as complaints submitted to odi from consumers. odi's analysis identified a total of 24 unique reports indicating power steering hose blow-offs resulting from a dislodged power steering cooler turbulator fin in some early production vehicles.according to chrysler, a dislodged fin can occur when the turbulator is inserted into the power steering cooler or loaded into the assembly machine.a dislodged fin may block the flow of power steering fluid creating excess back-pressure in the power steering system leading to the possibility of a return hose blow-off.chrysler and its power steering cooler supplier, dana, modified the cooler assembly process to address factors that may contribute to hose blow-offs. the redesigned turbulator assembly stations were completely implemented in production by april 2012.during pe12-020, chrysler identified occurrences where the power steering return hose may blow-off at the power steering cooler.this is a condition that typically occurs early in the life of the vehicle with 65% occurring at less than 2,000 miles and 96% occurring with less than 8,000 miles. the data also shows that 88% of the conditions occurred with less than 4 months in service. over 50% of the blow-off complaints occurred on vehicles with build dates between november 22, 2011 and december 23, 2011. none of the conditions occurred with more than 12,000 miles or 7 months in service. chrysler | ||||||
| PE12020 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 07/19/2012 | Power steering hose failure | |||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) has received one complaint of a power steering return hose failure in a model year 2012 jeep grand cherokee vehicle.odi has identified additional incidents of power steering hose failure in the subject vehicles in field reports submitted by chrysler in its early warning reporting submissions.power steering fluid may be ignited by hot surfaces in the engine compartment.odi has also received two reports alleging engine compartment fires while driving in the subject vehicles.both complaints were received within the last month and allege severe fires resulting in total vehicle loss with the cause as yet undetermined.one of the complaints reported fluid dripping beneath the vehicle during the incident.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect.the odi reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following identification numbers (odi nos.): 10465379, 10461736, 10459178. | ||||||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | ||||||
| PE12020 | Chrysler Group LLC | 07/19/2012 | 12/07/2012 | Power steering hose failure | ||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) analyzed complaint data provided by chrysler as well as complaints submitted to odi from consumers. odi's analysis identified a total of 24 unique reports indicating power steering hose blow-offs resulting from a dislodged power steering cooler turbulator fin in some early production vehicles.according to chrysler, a dislodged fin can occur when the turbulator is inserted into the power steering cooler or loaded into the assembly machine.a dislodged fin may block the flow of power steering fluid creating excess back-pressure in the power steering system leading to the possibility of a return hose blow-off.chrysler and its power steering cooler supplier, dana, modified the cooler assembly process to address factors that may contribute to hose blow-offs. the redesigned turbulator assembly stations were completely implemented in production by april 2012.during pe12-020, chrysler identified occurrences where the power steering return hose may blow-off at the power steering cooler.this is a condition that typically occurs early in the life of the vehicle with 65% occurring at less than 2,000 miles and 96% occurring with less than 8,000 miles. the data also shows that 88% of the conditions occurred with less than 4 months in service. over 50% of the blow-off complaints occurred on vehicles with build dates between november 22, 2011 and december 23, 2011. none of the conditions occurred with more than 12,000 miles or 7 months in service. chrysler | ||||||
| PE12020 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 07/19/2012 | Power steering hose failure | |||
| The office of defects investigation (odi) has received one complaint of a power steering return hose failure in a model year 2012 jeep grand cherokee vehicle.odi has identified additional incidents of power steering hose failure in the subject vehicles in field reports submitted by chrysler in its early warning reporting submissions.power steering fluid may be ignited by hot surfaces in the engine compartment.odi has also received two reports alleging engine compartment fires while driving in the subject vehicles.both complaints were received within the last month and allege severe fires resulting in total vehicle loss with the cause as yet undetermined.one of the complaints reported fluid dripping beneath the vehicle during the incident.a preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect.the odi reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following identification numbers (odi nos.): 10465379, 10461736, 10459178. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 07/02/2012 | 150 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate violently. the defect recurred continuously. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times for the steering malfunction. the repairs consisted of both front tires being replaced and balanced and a four wheel alignment. the failure continued after the repairs were performed. the vehicle remained at the dealer for additional investigation of the failure. the manufacturer was notified but was unable to provide ny assistance. the approximate failure mileage was 150. kmj | |||
| 07/19/2012 | 2100 | 1 | |
| We had noticed a small puddle of fluid in our garage and took car to be serviced at jeep. they said it was transmission fluid and fixed the problem. next day we drove 500 miles to oliver bc and when we stopped the car, we noticed a larger puddle of red fluid from the left front area under car. the car was difficult to steer and realized it must be power steering fluid that was leaking. we took it to a dealer in pentiction, bc and they said that there was no power steering fluid left in the system. they located power steering leak, as clamp was not released, they released clamp, cleaned off the fluids, refilled reservoir, road tested and no leaks. we then drove another 300 miles to our destination and have not had any leaks and the power steering seems fine. we just bought the car in may and it only has 2100 miles on it. *tr | |||
| 04/23/2012 | 3000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. the contact stated that while driving approximately 1 mph in the driveway, a loud noise emitted from outside of the vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the contact noticed an excessive amount of steering fluid leaking onto the ground. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the power steering hose was reconnected. the malfunction recurred twice and each time the vehicle was towed to the dealer. there were other repairs performed at different times, which consisted of replacing the power steering pump and cooler. in addition, the power steering rack and hoses were replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. there was currently an open investigation under nhtsa action number pe12020 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 3,000. | |||
| 07/19/2012 | 2100 | 1 | |
| We had noticed a small puddle of fluid in our garage and took car to be serviced at jeep. they said it was transmission fluid and fixed the problem. next day we drove 500 miles to oliver bc and when we stopped the car, we noticed a larger puddle of red fluid from the left front area under car. the car was difficult to steer and realized it must be power steering fluid that was leaking. we took it to a dealer in pentiction, bc and they said that there was no power steering fluid left in the system. they located power steering leak, as clamp was not released, they released clamp, cleaned off the fluids, refilled reservoir, road tested and no leaks. we then drove another 300 miles to our destination and have not had any leaks and the power steering seems fine. we just bought the car in may and it only has 2100 miles on it. *tr | |||
| 07/19/2012 | 2100 | ||
| We had noticed a small puddle of fluid in our garage and took car to be serviced at jeep. they said it was transmission fluid and fixed the problem. next day we drove 500 miles to oliver bc and when we stopped the car, we noticed a larger puddle of red fluid from the left front area under car. the car was difficult to steer and realized it must be power steering fluid that was leaking. we took it to a dealer in pentiction, bc and they said that there was no power steering fluid left in the system. they located power steering leak, as clamp was not released, they released clamp, cleaned off the fluids, refilled reseviour, road tested and no leaks. we then drove another 300 miles to our destination and have not had any leaks and the power steering seems fine. we just bought the car in may and it only has 2100 miles on it. | |||
| 04/23/2012 | 3000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. the contact stated that while driving approximately 1 mph in the driveway, a loud noise emitted from outside of the vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the contact noticed an excessive amount of steering fluid leaking onto the ground. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the power steering hose was reconnected. the malfunction recurred twice and each time the vehicle was towed to the dealer. there were other repairs performed at different times, which consisted of replacing the power steering pump and cooler. in addition, the power steering rack and hoses were replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. there was currently an open investigation under nhtsa action number pe12020 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 3,000. sm. | |||
| 04/23/2012 | 3000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2012 jeep grand cherokee. while driving approximately 1 mph in the driveway, a loud noise emitted from outside of the vehicle and suddenly the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the contact noticed an excessive amount of steering fluid leaking onto the ground. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the power steering hose was reconnected. the malfunction recurred twice and each time the vehicle was towed to the dealer. there were other repairs performed at different times which consisted of replacing the power steering pump and cooler. in addition, the power steering rack and hoses were replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. there was currently an open investigation under nhtsa action number pe12020 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 3,000. js | |||
| 07/09/2012 | 400 | 1 | |
| Power steering hose burst, spilling fluid, and power steering was suddenly lost after only 400 miles. fortunately i was driving slowly on a neighborhood street and not yet on the highway. car was towed to dealership. mechanic received directive from chrysler on a fix. he made the fix, as directed, but the new hose quickly burst on him during testing. chrysler has directed a second fix. i have not yet heard about the status of the second fix. i've been without my car for 4 days. i have read that chrysler had to recall 26,000 vehicles in 2010 for a similar power steering problem. *tr | |||
| 07/09/2012 | 400 | ||
| Power steering hose burst, spilling fluid, and power steering was suddenly lost after only 400 miles. fortunately i was driving slowly on a neighborhood street and not yet on the highway. car was towed to dealership. mechanic received directive from chrysler on a fix. he made the fix, as directed, but the new hose quickly burst on him during testing. chrysler has directed a second fix. i have not yet heard about the status of the second fix. i've been without my car for 4 days. i have read that chrysler had to recall 26,000 vehicles in 2010 for a similar power steering problem. | |||