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1995 Chrysler Cirrus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cirrus years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 33 of 369 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports5 fire reports24 injury reports

Power Train complaints

66 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2002
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLELM REOCCURRED AFTER THE SOLENOID WAS INSTALLED. THEN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO BAD O RING FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8003322

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO APPARENT REASON, MASSIVE RUPTURE AND FAST DEPLTION OF FLUIDS. COMMON INCIDENT WITH MANY CHRYSLER OWNERS. SUGGEST FAULTY MANUFACTURING OF TRANSMISSION AND COMPONENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #755628

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Power Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-60 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE INTO ANOTHER STAGE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #899036

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION CAN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING OR WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897879

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

BRAKES-DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKES WILL MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND GO TO THE FLOOR, AND WILL FINALLY STOP. HAD BRAKES REPLACED OFTEN, BECAUSE THEY WEAR DOWN OFTEN. BATTERY- HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. ENGINE-DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR SITTING AT STOP SIGNS AND …

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BRAKES-DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKES WILL MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND GO TO THE FLOOR, AND WILL FINALLY STOP. HAD BRAKES REPLACED OFTEN, BECAUSE THEY WEAR DOWN OFTEN. BATTERY- HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. ENGINE-DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR SITTING AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS CAR WILL STALL WITHOT WARNING, TOOK CAR TO THE SHOP, COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, ALSO CALLED MANUFACTURE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN CAR IS FULL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, RADIO IN CAR WOULD GO OFF WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, FINALLY STOP WORKING ,DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. AIR CONDITIONER-HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER, HAVE HAD DIFFERENT PARTS REPLACED,WHEN SITTING WITH AIR ON CAR TRIES TO GO DIED. TRANSMISSION- CAR LEAKS FLUID, CAN'T FIND SPOT, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP IS HARD TO PULL, HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS OUT OF CAR AND SENT TO CAR REPAIR SHOP MANY TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749517

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. MANAGED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS BEING TOWED DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO MOVE IT. AT DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COMING LOOSE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/ DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. *A…

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. MANAGED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS BEING TOWED DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO MOVE IT. AT DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COMING LOOSE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/ DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #892148

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Power Train

BOUGHT CAR USED IN JULY 2000. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MAY 2001. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FROM THE FACTORY. MECHANIC INFORMED US THE TRANSMISSION WE HAD TO HAVE PUT IT WAS THE THIRD TRANNY THIS CAR HAS HAD. THE SECOND ONE WAS ALSO A REMANUFACTURED TRANNY FROM THE FACTORY. IS NOW JULY 2001 AND TR…

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BOUGHT CAR USED IN JULY 2000. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MAY 2001. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FROM THE FACTORY. MECHANIC INFORMED US THE TRANSMISSION WE HAD TO HAVE PUT IT WAS THE THIRD TRANNY THIS CAR HAS HAD. THE SECOND ONE WAS ALSO A REMANUFACTURED TRANNY FROM THE FACTORY. IS NOW JULY 2001 AND TRANNY (3RD ONE) HAS QUIT AND IS IN SHOP. WON'T COME OUT OF SECOND GEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747961

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2001
Power Train

VEHICLE RUNS WELL AT NIGHT. BUT, DURING DAYTIME WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SHUTS OFF. TRANSMISSION GEAR RUNS ROUGHLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS . FIRST GEAR SHIFT GOES TO SECOND GEAR AND THIRD GEAR WITH A HARD KNOCK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #891586

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2001
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND INTO LOWEST GEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #891007

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE GAS MILEAGE WAS INCONSISTANT DUE TO LOOSE SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY. *YH CONSUMER ALSO HAS HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANING, INJECTOR CLEANER PERFORMED, CONSUMER STATES AFTER PERFORMING TUNP-UP HE NOTICED A SMALL QUIVER IN THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER ST…

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THE GAS MILEAGE WAS INCONSISTANT DUE TO LOOSE SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY. *YH CONSUMER ALSO HAS HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANING, INJECTOR CLEANER PERFORMED, CONSUMER STATES AFTER PERFORMING TUNP-UP HE NOTICED A SMALL QUIVER IN THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THAT GAS MILEAGE WAS INCONSISTENT, CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO ,WIPERS, AIR CONDITION, POWER LOCKS TO BE INOPERATIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING, CONSUMER ALSO HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #561236

Official recalls

7

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.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

98V063000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Mar 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE LOADING REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT ANCHOR CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SEAT BELT PROTECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SEAT BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR FLOOR ATTACHMENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING. IF THE ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ORIENTED, THE ORIENTATION WILL BE CORRECTED.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

May 3, 1996

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

96V074000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

May 2, 1996

CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

96V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Jan 11, 1996

IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.

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

4

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.

DP03002 · Steering Column Separation

Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure

Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.

PE97009 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 29, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

THE MANUFACTURER IDENTIFED VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINT FAILURES AS TABULATED ABOVE.IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 72 WARRANTY REPORTS WERE IDENTIFIED FOR REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN OR CRACKED BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CHRYSLER ALSO REPORTED THAT 1996 AND 1997 MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AS THE SUBJECT 1995 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.A PARTIAL RESPONSE TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S ANALYSES AND EVALUATIONS OF THE CONDITION WERE CONTINUING.IN ORDER TO CONTINUE NHTSA'S COMPLETE ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THIS MATTER, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.