All Investigations » Investigation DP05007

  Defect Investigation of Transmission Malfunction

Investigation of Transmission Malfunction

Subject: Transmission malfunction
Components covered:
  • Automatic transmission
  • Automatic transmission control module (tcm, pcm)
  • Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Nov. 7, 2005. It was closed on Mar. 27, 2006. The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the vehicleâ¿s entire electrical system. The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated (sq01-010) and was closed after odi concluded that the facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect. Odi has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid contamination of the transmission shifter since the investigation was closed, none of which report crashes or injuries. These nine complainants mainly expressed dissatisfaction with the design of the cup holder and the cost of replacing the contaminated electronic selector module. Similarly, in petitionerâ¿s case she was able to operate the vehicle to a place where it could be safety stopped after the liquid spillage. The petitioner has not provided any evidence of a safety-related defect. In view of the foregoing and the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 2001 Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz Clk Class
  • 2001 Mercedes Benz Clk Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz E Class
  • 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz SLK
  • 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK

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