NHTSA Defect Investigation: 2005-06 Dodge Durango

NHTSA Action Number : EA06015	NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :		Model/Build Years:
DODGE / DURANGO		2004-2005
Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Component : ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL
Date Investigation Opened : August 28, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary: THIS INVESTIGATION ORIGINATED FROM COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE AGENCY REPORTING INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) FIRES ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED (RECALL 03V528) BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT CAUSED IP FIRES. THE RECALL CORRECTED A DEFECT CAUSED BY A CERTAIN CAPACITOR ON THE IP PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) THAT COULD CRACK AND OVERHEAT. THE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN USE. THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO REMOVE THE CAPACITOR FROM THE IP. IPS USED FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL (DECEMBER 2003) DID NOT CONTAIN THE CAPACITOR. ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED REPORTS OF FIRES IN VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL, WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE CAPACITOR. DCC AND ITS SUPPLIER FOR THE IP HAVE IDENTIFIED A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THE PCB THAT MAY OVERHEAT. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.