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1999 Chrysler 300M

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 300M years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chrysler 300M are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

168 reports with mileage · 183 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports6 fire reports14 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

18 reports
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160,000 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT LATER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A SEWAGE AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT LATER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A SEWAGE AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10694129

166,900 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

1ST TIME PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IT STALLED I LUCKED OUT HAD MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT ACROSS. 2ND TIME NOT SO LUCKY STOPPED AT LIGHT ATTEMPTED U TURN STALLED HALF WAY THROUGH STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 4 MIN. SO THE REST IS THE SAME STORY PUT IN SHOP CANNOT DIAGNOSE. VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE.STALLING AND HARD STARTING BOT…

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1ST TIME PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IT STALLED I LUCKED OUT HAD MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT ACROSS. 2ND TIME NOT SO LUCKY STOPPED AT LIGHT ATTEMPTED U TURN STALLED HALF WAY THROUGH STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 4 MIN. SO THE REST IS THE SAME STORY PUT IN SHOP CANNOT DIAGNOSE. VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE.STALLING AND HARD STARTING BOTH INTERMITTENT AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY (3 TO 6 TIMES A DAY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631712

103,000 miles · Nov 15, 2008
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY STALLING ON ME SINCE JULY OF 2008. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY STALL AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. I USUALLY HAVE TO COAST TO THE BERM. IT HAPPENS EVERY ONE TO TWO WEEKS. THIS WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES! I HAD IT PUT IN THE SHOP YESTERDAY AND THEY RAN A D…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY STALLING ON ME SINCE JULY OF 2008. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY STALL AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. I USUALLY HAVE TO COAST TO THE BERM. IT HAPPENS EVERY ONE TO TWO WEEKS. THIS WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES! I HAD IT PUT IN THE SHOP YESTERDAY AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY SAY IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR BUT SINCE IT WOULDN'T CUT OFF ON THEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER THEY CANNOT BE SURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248887

5,000 miles · Mar 24, 2008
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WINDOWS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED THE CONTACTS COAT. THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WAS DIM. THE ELECTRICAL DIDN'T OCC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER 300M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WINDOWS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED THE CONTACTS COAT. THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WAS DIM. THE ELECTRICAL DIDN'T OCCUR WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CAN ONLY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE IF IT WAS DUPLICATED. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,751 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10222194

112,809 miles · Feb 9, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS. AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS I NOTICED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY FACTORY STEREO WENT OUT. THE NEXT THING I NOTICED WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. AFTER THAT MY DRIVER AND …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1999 CHRYSLER 300M. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS. AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS I NOTICED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY FACTORY STEREO WENT OUT. THE NEXT THING I NOTICED WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. AFTER THAT MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKERS WENT OUT. AFTER THAT MY HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TURNING ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. AFTER THAT MY HEATING UNIT WOULD COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WHENEVER I WOULD START THE CAR. I'VE NOTICED A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CAR ONCE I'VE STARTED IT UP. MY HEATED SEATS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. THERE'S A WHISTLING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. MY ENGINE SOUNDS LOUD NOW. THERE'S A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS SHORTING OUT. ITS HAS A DENSE HIGH PITCHED SOUND. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THEY WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR THE ENGINE STRUGGLES TO TURN OVER. IT SEEMS AS IF EITHER MY BATTERY IS DYING OR MY ALTERNATOR HAS HAD IT. THE CAR HAS DIED ON ME BEFORE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THERE IS A MYSTERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE CHRYSLER 300M CARS. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND NONE OF THEM COULD PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH THE CAR. I GUESS I'M '!@#$%. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THESE DEFECTS AND I NO LONGER HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR. YEAH, I'M REALLY !@#$%. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217516

86,932 miles · Feb 1, 2007
Electrical System

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M . WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND RESTART IT. THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY FAILURE. ALSO, ON 01/25/07 WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL I…

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TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 CHRYSLER 300M . WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND RESTART IT. THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY FAILURE. ALSO, ON 01/25/07 WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10181348

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2006
Electrical System

IN 10/2005, 1999 CHRYSLER 300 M WAS PURCHASED. TWO WEEKS LATER, LIGHTS WOULD START FLICKERING ON INSIDE OF CAR. IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD, ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, AND CAR WOULD NOT START UP. CAR WAS JUMPED WITH BATTERY VAC, ALLOWED CAR PERFORMANCE FOR ONE TRIP. SAME DAY, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND CAR WOULD START, BUT INSID…

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IN 10/2005, 1999 CHRYSLER 300 M WAS PURCHASED. TWO WEEKS LATER, LIGHTS WOULD START FLICKERING ON INSIDE OF CAR. IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD, ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, AND CAR WOULD NOT START UP. CAR WAS JUMPED WITH BATTERY VAC, ALLOWED CAR PERFORMANCE FOR ONE TRIP. SAME DAY, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND CAR WOULD START, BUT INSIDE LIGHT FLICKERING WAS STILL A PROBLEM. IN 11/2005, CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WARRANTY'S BODY SHOP. BODY SHOP CLAIMS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BODY SHOP SAYS THEY JUMPED VEHICLE; WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, CAR OPERATED CORRECTLY WITH NO MORE INSIDE LIGHT FLICKERING FAILURE. ON 4/16/2006, CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND REQUIRED JUMP FROM BATTERY VAC; JUMP ONLY ALLOWED CAR ONE TRIP, CAR FAILS TO START UP AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155435

160,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipment

DT: THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTEDON MAY 1, 2005. THE FIRST THING TO GO WRONG WAS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, WHICK MADE A STATIC SOUND WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF. THEN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF. NEXT ALL THE ELECTRICAL UNITS FLASHED. THE PROBLEM WAS …

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DT: THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTEDON MAY 1, 2005. THE FIRST THING TO GO WRONG WAS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, WHICK MADE A STATIC SOUND WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF. THEN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF. NEXT ALL THE ELECTRICAL UNITS FLASHED. THE PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT AND ONGOING. IT OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IWASTURNED OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138174

49,500 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

SPEEDOMETER DROPS TO 0, TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 2ND GEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. A/C KEEPS GOING OUT. THOUGHT IT WAS A FREON LEAK, BUT THEN THE EVAPORATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. A/C HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN. RIGHT, REAR POWER WINDOWS ARE ALSO NOT OPERATING AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10066163

34,000 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Air BagsElectrical System

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER 300M HAS SPLIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE AIR BAG. MY CAR HAS 36,00 MILES AND HAS BEEN IN A GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. CHRYSLER IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE YEAR WARRANTY IS OUT. THE DASH SHOULD CERTAINLY O…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER 300M HAS SPLIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE AIR BAG. MY CAR HAS 36,00 MILES AND HAS BEEN IN A GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. CHRYSLER IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE YEAR WARRANTY IS OUT. THE DASH SHOULD CERTAINLY OUTLAST THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AND THE ORIGINAL BATTERY. I ALSO KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER 300M'S WITH SPLITS IN THE SAME SPOT. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032860

Official recalls

3

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Feb 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V034000 · Seat Belts

Feb 4, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock

Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure

Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Vehicle Speed Control

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.