Dodge preliminary evaluation PE13010
Rear suspension knuckle fracture. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened this preliminary evaluation about the rear on 13 model years (2003–2010). Opened Apr 26, 2013, closed Dec 11, 2013 after 8 months without a recall. closed
What NHTSA says
Source: Office of Defects Investigation, as filedODI opened PE13-010 on April 26, 2013, to investigate two complaints alleging loss of control crashes caused by rear suspension knuckle failure in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Dodge Viper vehicles. The incidents described in the complaints occurred in November and December 2012. Chrysler's response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter for PE13-010 indicates that the left and right rear knuckles used in MY 2005 and 2006 Dodge Viper vehicles were used in MY 2003 through 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 vehicles and in all Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and ACRX race cars (see Figure 1 of attachment to this resume for a view of the rear suspension in the subject vehicles).Chrysler's response included information about 8 reports related to rear knuckle failures, including the 2 incidents identified by ODI in the opening resume for PE13-010. In addition, after PE13-010 was opened, ODI received 2 additional complaints resulting in a total of 10 incidents of rear knuckle failure in MY 2003 through 2010 Viper vehicles, including 8 alleging crashes. Based on its review of physical evidence from field inspections of 6 of the 8 incident vehicles identified in its response, including the two incidents that were the basis for ODI opening PE13-010 (VOQs 10492180 and 10492169/10491122), Chrysler concluded that collision forces were the causal factor of rear suspension control knuckle failure. Chrysler's assessment was primarily based on examination of knuckle fracture surfaces, as well as evidence of wheel rim damage that would indicate impact loading of the affected suspension components. Each of the fracture surfaces examined by Chrysler displayed clean, granular fracture surfaces indicative of single event, overload failure. None of the parts showed any indication of fatigue crack growth. In addition to the 6 vehicles inspected by Chrysler, ODI obtained a fractured knuckle from a recent incident involving a MY 2004 Viper (VOQ 10510248).NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center in Ohio submitted this part to a laboratory for fracture surface and metallurgical analysis. The analysis concluded that there was no evidence of fatigue in the part and that the fracture was due to a single overload event (see Figures 2-4 in attachment to this resume).Analysis of the fracture surfaces found evidence of a mix of load states, with some failures associated with rear toe links in tension (Figures 2-4) and some in compression (Figures 5-6).Seven of the 8 incidents in which the side of the knuckle failure was identified involved right knuckles, the side that is generally most common for impact failures involving wheel and suspension components. The single, left side failure was associated with an incident involving an impact with a concrete barrier dividing highway travel lanes. Analysis of the failure data indicated these are random events and do not show any clear patterns related to vehicle build range, vehicle age or mileage. Examination and testing of failed knuckles have not identified evidence of a manufacturing or design defect in the parts. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted. VOQs associated with this investigation: 10523321, 10510248, 10492180, 10492169 (duplicate to 10491122).
A Preliminary Evaluation is the first formal stage: NHTSA has decided the complaints and other information it screened are worth a closer look, and asks the manufacturer for its own data on the condition. The summary is the agency’s own text from its investigation file, unedited; the opening and closing resumes with the full reasoning are on NHTSA’s site under this number.
What this means for an owner
Source: and what happens nextAn investigation is not a finding that a defect exists, and it puts no duty on anyone. NHTSA opens a Preliminary Evaluation when complaints and other reports suggest a condition worth asking the manufacturer about; it upgrades to an Engineering Analysis when the answers warrant testing; it closes either when it recommends a recall, when the manufacturer recalls on its own, or when no defect trend is found. The agency’s own goals are about four months for a petition, eight for a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query and eighteen for an Engineering Analysis; many run longer.
This one closed without a recall. That means NHTSA found no defect trend it chose to act on at the time, or the manufacturer addressed the condition another way (a service campaign or a bulletin, which have their own pages). A closed file can be reopened if new reports arrive.
Model years it names
Source: as NHTSA filed themAlso named: 2003 Dodge Viper; 2004 Dodge Viper; 2005 Dodge Viper; 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe; 2008 Dodge Viper Coupe; 2009 Dodge Viper Coupe; 2010 Dodge Viper Coupe; 2003 Dodge Viper Roadster; 2005 Dodge Viper Roadster; 2006 Dodge Viper Roadster; 2008 Dodge Viper Roadster; 2009 Dodge Viper Roadster; 2010 Dodge Viper Roadster.
A vehicle page’s investigation list carries the same action; a name here is the scope NHTSA opened, not a list of affected VINs.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationIs PE13010 a recall?
No. A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA asking questions, not a recall. A safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number and a duty to repair for free; this one closed without one. Whether one particular vehicle has an open recall is a VIN question at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is PE13010 still open?
No. It closed on Dec 11, 2013 without a recall.
Which vehicles does PE13010 cover?
NHTSA opened it on 13 model years: 2003 Dodge Viper, 2004 Dodge Viper, 2005 Dodge Viper, 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, 2008 Dodge Viper Coupe, 2009 Dodge Viper Coupe and more. That is the scope of the inquiry, not a list of affected vehicles; a recall, if one follows, defines its own population by VIN.