Chrysler appeals TPMS ruling in US
24 Jun 2014
RPN staff report (MM)
Washington —Chrysler Group L.L.C. has filed a petition for a finding of inconsequential non-compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over the tire pressure monitoring system warning signals in certain Fiat 500e vehicles.
The 3,447 Fiats in question were manufactured at Chrysler’s plant in Toluca, Mexico, between March 21, 2013 and Feb. 11, 2014, Chrysler told NHTSA.
,p>In the case of tire underinflation, the TPMS warning indicators on the dashboards flash orange, instead of the yellow required by NHTSA’s TPMS standard.
Chrysler said it believed the noncompliance with the TPMS standard was inconsequential because the signal still clearly indicates tire underinflation. Even if owners can’t interpret the meaning of the signal, the owner’s manual will tell them what it means, the auto maker said.
A NHTSA finding of inconsequential noncompliance excuses manufacturers of tires, auto and auto parts from conducting a formal recall.