Engine Problem

Suspect 3.5L V-6 engines that forced a temporary halt to Chrysler Pacifica production in early February also made their way into early production models of the LX large rear-wheel-drive vehicles being ramped up at the Brampton, Ont., Canada, assembly plant.

Chrysler's powertrain engineering team discovered the problem with the connecting rod bolt during internal durability testing at the powertrain lab in Auburn Hills, a spokeswoman says.

Pacifica production was halted at the Windsor, Ont., plant Feb. 5 and resumed Feb. 10. Still to be verified is that the suspect part is from shipments received in December.

Chrysler continues to investigate and has not put a figure on the number of lost units. The Windsor plant continued to operate, building minivans only, with gaps in the line where Pacificas would have been feathered in.

The company says it is investigating whether any vehicles with suspect engines made it into the field. That will dictate whether a recall will be considered. A large number of Pacificas awaiting release are parked in lots around Windsor.

The 3.5L engine is one of three powertrain choices offered in the LX line that went into production in Brampton Jan. 15.

Plant Manager Mike Tonietto says production ceased for a day to await clean engines. He says 1,000 to 5,000 units of the 300 Series have been assembled, but all remain in containment and are not scheduled for release until later this month, giving the auto maker time to make a fix, if necessary. Dodge Magnum production does not begin until March.