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: 22 of 160 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
160 reports
Mileage unknown · May 2, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE NOTICED MAJOR OIL DRIPPING. OUR MECHANIC FOUND IT TO BE COMING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. WE REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND TO THE 1-800 CUSTOMER COMPLAINT NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER. WE WERE TOLD: A) THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY B)THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND A BAD HEAD GASKET AT 40,000 MILES, AND C) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING W…
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WE NOTICED MAJOR OIL DRIPPING. OUR MECHANIC FOUND IT TO BE COMING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. WE REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND TO THE 1-800 CUSTOMER COMPLAINT NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER. WE WERE TOLD: A) THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY B)THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND A BAD HEAD GASKET AT 40,000 MILES, AND C) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET DESIGN THAT THE GASKET HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDESIGNED AND WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. OUR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A NEW TYPE AND FIXED THE CAR. HE SAID HE HAS TALKED TO OTHER MECHANICS WHO ARE SEEING THIS GASKET OIL LEAK PROBLEM ON THIS CHRYLSER. HE SAID THE OLD GASKET WAS FAULTY AND THAT THE NEW DESIGN IS THREE LAYER THICK AND VERY WELL DESIGNED. BUT, REMEMBER, WE WERE TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THE NEW ONE WAS NOT DESIGNED BECAUSE THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE OLD ONE.
NHTSA ODI #706166
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL NOT EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE FOR THE REST OF MY LIVING LIFE. I WILL ALSO MAKE SURE TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW WHICH EXIST OF MY FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS AND ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO EVEN PLANS TO PURCHASE A CHRYSLER, TO CHANGE THEIR MIND. WHEN I TOOK M…
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I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL NOT EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE FOR THE REST OF MY LIVING LIFE. I WILL ALSO MAKE SURE TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW WHICH EXIST OF MY FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS AND ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO EVEN PLANS TO PURCHASE A CHRYSLER, TO CHANGE THEIR MIND. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I ASKED THEM TO CHECK MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING THIS CLANKING SOUND WHENVER I WENT ON A BUMPY ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE FIRST MECHANIC ONCE HE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR, THAT MY MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND MY MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING DUE TO THIS BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. THE MECHANIC SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT BECAUSE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE SUPPOSE TO LAST A LONG TIME. I HAD A SECOND OPINION DONE ON THE CAR SINCE THE DAMAGES WERE SO HIGH IN COST. THE SECOND MECHANIC SAID THE SAME AND THOUGHT IT VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN FOR A CAR THAT WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. BOTH MECHANICS SUGGESTED I GO TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS. I HAD A PERSONAL MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE LOOK AT IT ALSO AND HE SAID IT WAS STRANGE THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A MERCEDES WITH THE ORIGINAL MOTOR MOUNT IN IT WITH 300,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CALLED THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE BEEN VERY CHEATED AT THIS POINT. ALL THREE MECHANICS SAID IT WAS VERY STRANGE AND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. I AM COMPLETELY FED UP WITH THIS CAR OF MINE AND WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT. I HAVE HAD VARIOUS OTHER RECALLS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD TO TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE, I HAVE TO PAY MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS. I DO THIS BECAUSE I NEED A CAR RENTAL FOR THE DAY SO I CAN COMMUTE TO WORK AND TO MY BABYSITTER'S HOME. I LOSE TIME FROM WORK AT MY COST OF AN HOURLY RATE OF $16.00 AND STILL SPEND ANOTHER $36.00 TO $67.00 A DAY FOR A CAR RENTAL. PLEASE TRY TO AID ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPPRECIATE IT.
NHTSA ODI #706053
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1999
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705364
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BROKE, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK DOWN ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836252
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET AT 36000 MILES LEAKS OIL THIS IS A DISAPPOINTMENT AT THIS MILAGE!!! THE RADIO STAYS FULL OF STATIC ALL THE TIME AND I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX THE GASKET BUT NOT THE RADIO EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE BOTH FACTORY DEFECTS.
NHTSA ODI #704262
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS PUSHING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY INCREASE ITS SPEED. IN ORDER TO STOP I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, OR PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. IN A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SPEED W…
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SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS PUSHING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY INCREASE ITS SPEED. IN ORDER TO STOP I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, OR PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. IN A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD DECRASE ON ITS OWN. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE I WAS BRAKING.
NHTSA ODI #703999
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1999
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ILLUMINATION WHEN USING LOW BEAM. IF HIGH BEAMS ARE USED THEY ARE HARDLY NOTICEABLE BY ONCOMING VEHICLES AS HIGH BEAMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703577
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 1999
Power Train
CAR WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AT STOP. THE CAR ALSO JERKS INTO GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, EACH TIME THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LAST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING WAS FEBRUARY 5TH 1999. WHILE PULLING INTO MY DEVELOPMENT AT…
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CAR WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AT STOP. THE CAR ALSO JERKS INTO GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, EACH TIME THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LAST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING WAS FEBRUARY 5TH 1999. WHILE PULLING INTO MY DEVELOPMENT AT A SPEED OF 35MPH THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO MY DRIVEWAY. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY FAMILY WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND WE HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702995
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
OIL GALLEY PLUG CAME OUT AND SPEWED OIL OVER THE ENGINE RESULTIN IN FIRE, RECALL COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.
NHTSA ODI #543690
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1999
StructureInjury
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS (AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD) THE TRUNK LID WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION, IT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY AND HAS DROPPED DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY ON BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND NUMEROUS TIMES. IF IT FALLS ON A CHILD OR FRAGILE PERSON IT WILL CERTAINLY KILL THEM GIVEN THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUNK LID. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF HAVE …
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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS (AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD) THE TRUNK LID WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION, IT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY AND HAS DROPPED DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY ON BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND NUMEROUS TIMES. IF IT FALLS ON A CHILD OR FRAGILE PERSON IT WILL CERTAINLY KILL THEM GIVEN THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUNK LID. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF HAVE RECEIVED LHEAD LACERATIONS FROM THE TRUNK LID FALLING
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
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.
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
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.
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.
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