WASHINGTON—Aston-Martin Lagonda Ltd. has submitted a petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a finding of inconsequential noncompliance for a problem involving tire pressure monitoring systems on its vehicles.
Aston-Martin manufactured the 3,282 cars between September 2009 and October 2013, the auto maker told NHTSA.
When Aston-Martin tested the TPMS on these cars, the systems correctly detected the fitment of an incompatible wheel and tire unit, and the malfunction indicator illuminated as required under the federal TPMS standard, the auto maker said.
But when the ignition was deactivated and then reactivated five minutes later, the malfunction light did not reilluminate immediately as the TPMS rule requires, according to Aston-Martin. Instead, it took up to 40 seconds to reilluminate once the vehicle had reached a speed above 23 mph.
Because the problem is confined to one particular aspect of TPMS operation, the noncompliance with the federal standard is inconsequential, Aston-Martin argued. The system can still determine if a sensor is present and functioning, it said. Also, the company is reprogramming the TPMS on the remaining unsold vehicles before sale, it said.
NHTSA is accepting comments on Aston-Martin's petition until Aug. 5. The July 6 Federal Register notice on the petition can be found here.