NHTSA Complaint #11447361 — 2014 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Engine oil filter adapter assembly failure of Manufacturer OEM Part Numbers: 68105583AA, 68105583AB, 68105583AC, 68105583AD, 68105583AF, 68105583AE This failure results in many safety concerns to include engine bay fires. The inferior plastic OEM part is prone to failures causing pressurized oil leaks at the top of the engine that contaminate many other parts to include the exhaust manifold, exhaust components inclusive of the catalytic converter which operates at normal temperature exceeding 650 degrees F. Flash fires accrue frequently in this regard and engaging the occupants, others, environment, and may result in fatalities. There are no check engine lights or safety warnings of any kind for this failure unless oil pressure is lost after the fact. The OEM parts is not a suitable material for typical engine temps exceeding temps of 200F and will break down on a molecular basis. There is currently an aluminum upgrade manufactured by Dorman, part number 926-876 that is not supported nor provided by Mopar. I am a retired ASE Master Technician with over 40 years of experience. I have seen over 30 instances of this failure effecting a wide rage of 2014 Chrysler vehicles with the 3.2 and 3.6 liter gas engines. Vehicle mileage is not a factor in this regard. Inferior simply put, OEM Product, plus time, plus normal engine temps will cause the molecular material breakdown and thus component failure. It is aggravated by oil change procedures when even skilled technicians try to change the filter by removing the cover or over torque the cover and fracture the now brittle inferior materials. Internally we have also noticed severe chemical softening of the housing sealing surfaces that remain in constant contact with engine oil. This further proves the inferior product material incompatibilities. Please validate ASAP to begin a Recall campaign that will surely prevent future fatalities or catastrophic damage to personal property or the environment.