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1996 Chrysler Concorde

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chrysler Concorde do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 168.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 114 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.

  • Steering. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports4 fire reports9 injury reports

Steering complaints

61 reports
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46,000 miles · Jan 25, 2005
Steering

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS WORN. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT TWICE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10108857

78,000 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Steering

FIRST IT WAS THE RACK & PINION GOING OUT ON MY 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. CHRYSLER DID REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE TIE-RODS HAVE FAILED - NOT COVERED UNDER CHRYSLER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098744

139,600 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Steering

STEERING MAKES A GRUNTING SOUND WHEN WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND FORTH, THE MOUNTS ON THE RACK ARE LOOSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10065799

140,000 miles · Apr 2, 2004
Steering

I OWN A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE WHICH HAS BEEN GIVING ME STEERING PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I FIRST NOTICED IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS ON VERY COLD DAYS WHEN I WOULD LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND MADE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST TURN OF THE WHEEL THERE WOULD BE SOME LOUD POPPING…

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I OWN A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE WHICH HAS BEEN GIVING ME STEERING PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I FIRST NOTICED IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS ON VERY COLD DAYS WHEN I WOULD LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND MADE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST TURN OF THE WHEEL THERE WOULD BE SOME LOUD POPPING NOISES AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF. ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP THE STEERING WAS MORE FLUID AND THE NOISE WOULD DIMINISH. THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE CONTINUED AND NOW I SEEM TO EXPERIENCE THEM EVEN IN WARMER TEMPERATURES. RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING THE WHEEL I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS BREAKING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NO LONGER STRAIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHICH INDICATES AN ALIGNMENT IS IN ORDER. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THIS MORNING AND AFTER INSPECTING IT HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK & PINION BUSHINGS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE SPECIFICALLY SAID THE PROBLEM IS WHERE THE RACK & PINION CONNECT TO THE BODY. HE ALSO SAID HE DOES NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOL(S) TO REPAIR THIS SO HE REFERRED ME TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE I CALLED AND WAS INFORMED THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $1650 PERHAPS MORE DEPENDING ON IF STRUTS AND MOUNTS WERE ALSO NEEDED. I AM PLACING THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA BECAUSE I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FROM OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE'S. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND COMPENSATE IT'S CUSTOMERS FOR ANY/ALL COSTS RELATED TO THIS APPARENT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064420

45,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Steering

WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHA…

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WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN GETTING HIT BUY ONE OF THE MANY CHRYSLER CARS WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF NOT ALREADY. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052911

46,000 miles · Nov 15, 2003
Steering

I HAVE A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS ONE THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL ALSO. WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS WEAR OUT AND ALLOWS THE STEERING TO WANDER. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS MY BROTHER IN LAW WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER AND EXPECTING THE CAR TO FOLLOW T…

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I HAVE A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS ONE THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL ALSO. WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS WEAR OUT AND ALLOWS THE STEERING TO WANDER. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS MY BROTHER IN LAW WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER AND EXPECTING THE CAR TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF STEERING BUT INSTEAD THE CAR WANTED TO GO STRAIGHT UNTIL THE STEERING GEAR HAD TRAVELED AS FAR AS IT COULD GO THEN THE STEERING REACTED. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END LEADING A MECHANIC TO BELIEVE THE ROTORS ARE WARPED WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS. THESE BUSHINGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH CHRYSLER. INSTEAD THEY WANT YOU TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW STEERING GEAR FOR OVER $1000. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON TO THE 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI AND CHRYSLER SHOULD EITHER MAKE THE PART AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OR REPLACE THE PART AT THERE OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS WHERE SOMEONE MAY DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND GET HURT OR KILLED AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW WHY OTHER THAN TO EXPECT THAT IT WAS THE DRIVERS FAULT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046986

70,000 miles · Aug 23, 2003
EquipmentSteeringSuspension

I HAVE PUT NEARLY $2000 INTO THE FRONT END OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE, BEGINNING WITH THE INFAMOUS EARLY RACK & PINION DEFECT. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS UP ON BLOCKS WAITING FOR ME TO REPLACE NEARLY EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END.*AK THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE OF REPLACEMNT COSTS.

NHTSA ODI #10033352

144,000 miles · Aug 9, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, AirSteering

STEERING IS VERY BAD. PULLS TO THE LEFT. RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS BAD, AS WELL AS A TIE ROD. USUALLY MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT. ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD. I'VE REPLACED THEM NU…

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STEERING IS VERY BAD. PULLS TO THE LEFT. RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS BAD, AS WELL AS A TIE ROD. USUALLY MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT. ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD. I'VE REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031142

60,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Steering

VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY PULL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS COMING APART AT THE MOUNT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030187

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2003
Steering

TEXT OF MESSAGE SENT TO ODIDATA@NHTSA.DOT.GOV WED., 7-23-2003. MY ELDERLY FATHER HAS A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE FOR WHICH HE CURRENTLY HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP IN COATS, NC HAS ADVISED THAT IT HAS A GOOD IDEA THAT IT MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR MISSING BUSHINGS, LOOSE STEERING GEAR BOLTS, OR OTHER COMMONLY KNOWN …

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TEXT OF MESSAGE SENT TO ODIDATA@NHTSA.DOT.GOV WED., 7-23-2003. MY ELDERLY FATHER HAS A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE FOR WHICH HE CURRENTLY HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP IN COATS, NC HAS ADVISED THAT IT HAS A GOOD IDEA THAT IT MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR MISSING BUSHINGS, LOOSE STEERING GEAR BOLTS, OR OTHER COMMONLY KNOWN PROBLEMS. THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE UNTIL THEY CAN LOOK AT IT NEXT WEEK. I AM ASTOUNDED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS IN EFFECT FOR THIS SUBJECT. IT TOOK A SOLID HOUR FOR ME TO CUT / PASTE THE ATTACHED. THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM YOUR RECORDS - VIVID DESCRIPTIONS WARNING OF SAFETY CONCERNS FROM CUSTOMERS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO REACH CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S SENSE OF CONCERN AND DUTY TOWARD THIS MATTER. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THIS MATTER? YOUR WEBSITE CITES THE FOLLOWING: "IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURER MUST FIX IT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. YOUR COMPLAINT IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS." THE "NEXT STEP" HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN, AND INVESTIGATIONS #EA99031 OCT 29, 1999 AND PE99044 SEP 13, 2001 CLOSED WITH NO ASSUMPTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY BY CHRYSLER, AND NO RECALL MANDATED FOR SAFETY ISSUES. CHRYSLER OWES THIS "WELL KNOWN" PROBLEM'S FIX TO MY FATHER AT NO CHARGE. I WILL NOT STAND BY AND SEE HIM TAKEN FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS ONE HAS SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS, WAS NOT PROPERLY INVESTIGATED BY YOUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, OR WAS SET ASIDE PREMATURELY.HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029048

Official recalls

2

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.

98V184000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

5

DP04007 · Fuel Rail, Brake Fluid, Chassis

Opened Oct 13, 2004 · Closed Oct 27, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Structure:frame And Members

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Structure:frame And Members

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

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.

EA99031 · Steering System Rack And Pinion

Opened Oct 29, 1999 · Closed Sep 13, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99044 · Steering System Rack And Pinion

Opened Jun 28, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS.DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN.THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.

RQ98018 · Fuel Injection Delivery System Fuel Leak

Opened Oct 7, 1998 · Closed Jul 8, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

No summary supplied.