[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 194 (Monday, October 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58295-58297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23598]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 
Prevention Standard; CHRYSLER

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.

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SUMMARY: This document grants in full the Chrysler LLC, (Chrysler) 
petition for exemption of the Dodge Journey vehicle line in accordance 
with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. 
This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the 
antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is 
likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft 
as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft 
Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541).

DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with 
the 2010 Model Year (MY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carlita Ballard, International 
Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard's phone number is (202) 
366-0846. Her fax number is (202) 493-2990.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated July 15, 2008, Chrysler 
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft 
prevention standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the Dodge Journey vehicle 
line, beginning with MY 2010. The petition requested an exemption from 
parts-marking requirements pursuant to 49 CFR 543, Exemption from 
Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, based on the installation of an 
antitheft device as standard equipment for the entire vehicle line.
    Under Section Sec.  543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 
grant exemptions for one of its vehicle lines per year. Chrysler has 
petitioned the agency to grant an exemption for its Dodge Journey 
vehicle line beginning with MY 2010. In its petition, Chrysler provided 
a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and 
location of the components of the antitheft device for the new vehicle 
line. Chrysler will install the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) 
antitheft device as standard equipment on the vehicle line. The major 
components of the SKIS device consists of a powertrain control module, 
integrated power module, sentry key remote entry module (SKREEM), fob 
with integrated key (FOBIK) and an electromechanical instrument cluster 
which controls the telltale function only. All of these components work 
collectively to perform the immobilizer function.
    Chrysler stated that the SKIS provides passive vehicle protection 
by preventing the engine from operating unless a valid electronically 
encoded key is detected in the ignition lock cylinder. The immobilizer 
feature is activated when

[[Page 58296]]

the key is removed from the ignition lock cylinder. Once activated, 
only a valid key inserted into the ignition lock cylinder will disable 
immobilization and allow the vehicle to start and continue to run.
    The SKREEM/Wireless Ignition Node (WIN), an integral component of 
the SKIS antitheft device contains a radio frequency transceiver and 
microprocessor that receives signals from the Sentry key transponder 
and communicates to the FOBIK. The SKREEM/WIN determines whether a 
valid key is present in the ignition switch based on the signal 
received from the transponder, and also serves as the receiver for the 
Tire Pressure Monitoring System if the vehicle is equipped with one. To 
avoid any perceived delay when starting the vehicle with a valid key 
and to prevent unburned fuel from entering the exhaust, the engine is 
permitted to run for no more than 2 seconds if an invalid key is used. 
If the response identifies the key as invalid, or if no response is 
received from the key transponder, the SKREEM sends an invalid key 
message to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM will disable 
engine operation (after the initial 2-second run) based upon the status 
of the SKREEM messages. Chrysler stated that only six consecutive 
invalid vehicle start attempts would be permitted and all other 
attempts would be locked out by preventing the fuel injectors from 
firing and disabling the starter.
    Chrysler stated that it has incorporated an unauthorized vehicle 
start telltale light into the device. The telltale feature operates as 
a security indicator in the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster 
(EMIC). The telltale alerts the owner that an unauthorized vehicle 
start attempt has been made. Upon an unauthorized start attempt, the 
telltale will flash on and off when the ignition switch is turned to 
the ``ON'' position. Besides acting as a security indicator, the 
telltale acts as a diagnostic indicator. If the SKREEM detects a system 
malfunction and/or the SKIS has become inoperative, the security 
indicator will stay on. If the SKREEM detects an invalid key or if a 
key transponder-related fault exists, the security indicator will 
flash.
    Each ignition key used in the SKIS has an integral transponder chip 
included on the circuit board beneath the cover of the integral Remote 
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. In addition to having to be cut to 
match the mechanical coding of the ignition lock cylinder and 
programmed for operation of the RKE system, each new Sentry Key has a 
unique transponder identification code that is permanently programmed 
into it by the manufacturer, and which must be programmed into the 
SKREEM to be recognized by the SKIS as a valid key. Chrysler stated 
that once a Sentry Key has been programmed to a particular vehicle, it 
cannot be used on any other vehicle.
    Chrysler stated that the SKIS device does not provide any visable 
or audible indication of unauthorized entry but that the theft data has 
indicated a decline in theft rates for vehicle lines that have been 
equipped with antitheft devices similar to that which it proposes to 
install on the Dodge Journey vehicle line. The agency has previously 
concluded that the lack of a visual or audible alarm has not prevented 
these antitheft devices from being effective protection against theft.
    In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Chrysler 
provided information on the reliability and durability of the device. 
Chrysler conducted tests based on its own specified standards and 
stated its belief that the device meets the stringent performance 
standards prescribed. Specifically, Chrysler stated that its device 
must demonstrate a minimum of 95 percent reliability with 90 percent 
confidence. In addition to the design and production validation test 
criteria, Chrysler stated that the SKIS also undergoes a daily short 
term durability test. Chrysler also stated that 100% of its systems 
undergo a series of three functional tests for durability prior to 
being shipped from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant for 
installation in its vehicles.
    Chrysler stated that while there is no theft data available for the 
Dodge Journey because it's a new vehicle line introduction, experience 
with the Chrysler Pacifica, a similar 5-door, front wheel drive/AWD 
crossover vehicle indicates that the Dodge Journey is projected to have 
a theft rate lower than the median theft rate. The average theft rate 
for the Chrysler Pacifica using 3 Model Years (MY's) data is 1.9677.
    Chrysler also stated that experience with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, 
which was subject to the parts marking requirements and subsequently 
equipped with ignition immobilizer systems as standard equipment, 
indicate that even lower theft rates can be expected from a vehicle 
equipped with standard ignition immobilizer systems. Chrysler has 
offered the SKIS vehicle immobilizer system as standard equipment on 
all Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles since MY 1999. Chrysler indicated that 
based on NHTSA's theft rate data, the average theft rate for Jeep Grand 
Cherokee vehicles (1995-1998) before an immobilizer was offered as 
standard equipment on the Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles was 5.3574, 
significantly above the median theft rate of 3.5826. However, the 
average theft rate for the six model years (1999-2005) after 
installation of the standard immobilizer device is 2.5492, 
significantly lower than the median. The Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicle 
line was granted an exemption from the parts-marking requirements 
beginning with MY 2004. Chrysler further stated that NHTSA's theft data 
for the Jeep Grand Cherokee indicates that the inclusion of a standard 
immobilizer system has resulted in a 52.3% net average reduction in 
vehicle thefts. On the basis of the previous comparisons, Chrysler has 
concluded that the proposed anitheft device is no less effective than 
those devices installed on lines for which NHTSA has already granted 
full exemption form the parts-marking requirements.
    Based on the information Chrysler has provided about its device, 
the agency concludes that the antitheft device for the Dodge Journey 
vehicle line is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring 
motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements 
of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR 541). The agency concludes 
that the device will provide four of the five types of performance 
listed in Sec.  543.6(a)(3): Promoting activation; preventing defeat or 
circumvention of the device by unauthorized persons; preventing 
operation of the vehicle by unauthorized entrants; and ensuring the 
reliability and durability of the device.
    As required by 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR Part 543.6(a)(4) and (5), 
the agency finds that Chrysler has provided adequate reasons for its 
belief that the antitheft device will reduce and deter theft. This 
conclusion is based on the information Chrysler provided about its 
antitheft device.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full 
Chrysler's petition for an exemption for the MY 2010 Dodge Journey 
vehicle line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541. 
The agency notes that 49 CFR Part 541, Appendix A-1, identifies those 
lines that are exempted from the Theft Prevention Standard for a given 
model year. 49 CFR Part 543.7(f) contains publication requirements 
incident to the disposition of all Part 543 petitions. Advanced 
listing, including the release of future product nameplates, the 
beginning model year for which the petition is granted and a general 
description of the antitheft device is necessary in order to notify

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law enforcement agencies of new vehicle lines exempted from the parts-
marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.
    If Chrysler decides not to use the exemption for this line, it must 
formally notify the agency. If such a decision is made, the line must 
be fully marked as required by 49 CFR Parts 541.5 and 541.6 (marking of 
major component parts and replacement parts).
    NHTSA notes that if Chrysler wishes in the future to modify the 
device on which this exemption is based, the company may have to submit 
a petition to modify the exemption. Part 543.7(d) states that a Part 
543 exemption applies only to vehicles that belong to a line exempted 
under this part and equipped with the anti-theft device on which the 
line's exemption is based. Further, Sec.  543.9(c)(2) provides for the 
submission of petitions ``to modify an exemption to permit the use of 
an antitheft device similar to but differing from the one specified in 
that exemption.''
    The agency wishes to minimize the administrative burden that Part 
543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted vehicle manufacturers and itself. 
The agency did not intend Part 543 to require the submission of a 
modification petition for every change to the components or design of 
an antitheft device. The significance of many such changes could be de 
minimis. Therefore, NHTSA suggests that if the manufacturer 
contemplates making any changes the effects of which might be 
characterized as de minimis, it should consult the agency before 
preparing and submitting a petition to modify.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    Issued on: September 30, 2008.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E8-23598 Filed 10-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P