Too much grease or is there a more serious problem?
Chrysler is recalling 2013 Fiat 500e electric vehicles because the half shafts may loosen and separate, causing noise and leading to a complete loss of power. The problem occurred because of an earlier repair on the new vehicles. The company says no accidents or injuries have been reported.
In a required NHTSA filing, Chrysler said that the battery electric vehicles have been found with loosened fasteners at the constant velocity joint on the inboard or gearbox side of the transmission. It appears that the replacement of the electric motor and the gearbox on the new cars during a rework before delivery meant that the fasteners were re-used and could then fail.
Chrysler said grease in the constant velocity joint contaminating the fasteners could be part of the problem.
Only a few Fiat 500e models have been found with loosened fasteners thus far but 500 are being recalled. The safety issue raises the question whether the fasteners or the half shafts are correctly designed given the almost instantaneous product of high torque loads by an electric vehicle. There could also be an assembly problem involved.
Chrysler claimed, “The issue is unrelated to the 500e’s electric powertrain. Half shafts transfer torque from a vehicle’s gearbox to its wheels,” in a statement.
“The components were replaced to maintain consistency with our quality standards,” a Chrysler spokesperson told AutoInformed. “The discrepancy was discovered during routine quality checks and the repair was made before delivery. Please note this particular repair applied to 156 units of the total recall population. Further investigation discovered additional vehicles may have loose bolts so the recall population was expanded out of an abundance of caution.”
Chrysler will notify owners and Fiat dealers will replace the fasteners attaching the half shaft inboard joints, free of charge as is required by U.S. safety regulations. Owners may contact Fiat at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler’s recall number is N51. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
