NHTSA Complaint #11281175 — 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF INTERMITTENT ELECTRONIC START/STOP OPERATION CREATES UNCERTAINTY FOR THE DRIVER, AND DISTRACTS ATTENTION CONDUCIVE TO CAUSING A CRASH. DOCUMENTATION IMPLIES THAT OPERATION FOR A FEW MILES MAY BE NECESSARY TO RE-CHARGE SUFFICIENTLY FOR ESS. HOWEVER, OVER TIME ( 6-9 MONTHS ACCORDING TO MY DETAILED MAINTENANCE LOG), THE ALTERNATOR'S CAPACITY TO RE-CHARGE LAGS SUCH THAT ESS CEASES TO FUNCTION ALTOGETHER. 3.WHEN OPERATING PROPERLY, THERE IS A SLIGHT PAUSE BETWEEN TAKING ONE'S FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ENGINE RESTART. THIS PAUSE IS MILDLY ANNOYING, BUT THE DRIVER CAN BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO IT, IF THE OPERATION IS CONTINUOUSLY RELIABLE. WHEN IT IS NOT RELIABLE, THE DRIVER TENDS TO PAUSE EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE HAS NOT STOPPED. THE DRIVER CAN THEN BE EMBARRASSED, AND 'JACK-RABBIT' UNNECESSARILY. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THE ESS HAS UNEXPECTEDLY RESUMED FUNCTIONALITY, THE DRIVER MAY ACCELERATE PREMATURELY WHICH CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT JERK ONCE THE ESS KICKS IN. EVENTUALLY, THE OPERATOR WILL BE DRIVING ERRATICALLY, CONSTANTLY DISTRACTED BY THE UNCERTAINTY. NEITHER DEALERSHIPS, NOR MECHANICS HAVE OFFERED A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. THUS FAR THEY ARE ONLY REPLACING OR RE-CHARGING THE BATTERIES. 5.I HAVE PROGRESSED THROUGH THREE DISCHARGE AND REPLACE/RECHARGE CYCLES IN A NEW VEHICLE IN JUST 17 MONTHS AND 15,000 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO EXTRACT FROM MY DEALERSHIP'S GENERAL MANAGER THAT THE ENTIRE INVENTORY OF BATTERIES ON WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DEPEND IS INFERIOR; AND SAID CHRYSLER MIGHT BE 'GOING BACK TO INTERSTATE BATTERIES'. FOR ME, THIS ERRATIC OPERATION HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW NHSTA'S POSITION.