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1997 Chrysler Concorde

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 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

Limited mileage data: 33 of 134 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 17 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.

12 crash reports6 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

134 reports
174,000 miles · Feb 28, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SHE DID NOT GET PULLED BACK ALONG WITH THE SEAT BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. SHE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT IT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SHE DID NOT GET PULLED BACK ALONG WITH THE SEAT BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. SHE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT IT WAS FOR THE 1998 MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #10219395

62,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Structure

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE, AND I CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THE ENGINE CRADLE BUSHING WERE JUNK. THE CAR ONLY HAD 62000 MILES ON IT. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF THE CRADLE HAD BROKEN. THE CAR WAS LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND THERE WAS ABOUT A 2 IINCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRAME AND CRADLE WHERE THE BU…

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MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE, AND I CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THE ENGINE CRADLE BUSHING WERE JUNK. THE CAR ONLY HAD 62000 MILES ON IT. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF THE CRADLE HAD BROKEN. THE CAR WAS LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND THERE WAS ABOUT A 2 IINCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRAME AND CRADLE WHERE THE BUSHING ARE WORN OUT. I CURRENT DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR DO TO THIS ISSUE.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213519

36,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEATBELT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, THE LENGTH OF THE BELT WAS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DID NOT FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD BE AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR RIGHT…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEATBELT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, THE LENGTH OF THE BELT WAS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DID NOT FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD BE AND THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR RIGHT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #10172001

30,000 miles · Aug 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

SAME SAD STORY AS THE OTHERS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAD A 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2005 I WAS DRIVING TO MY DAUGHTER'S WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE. SUDDENLY, IT DIED. I HAD TOWED INTO MY DEALER, CLIFFORD CHRYSLER OF BUFFALO GROVE. THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP DUE TO SLUDGE.…

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SAME SAD STORY AS THE OTHERS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAD A 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2005 I WAS DRIVING TO MY DAUGHTER'S WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE. SUDDENLY, IT DIED. I HAD TOWED INTO MY DEALER, CLIFFORD CHRYSLER OF BUFFALO GROVE. THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP DUE TO SLUDGE. SINCE THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY INSISTED THEY TALK TO CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE OIL CHANGES EVEN WHEN I SENT THEM A RECORD OF MY OIL CHANGES, THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164599

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AUTO-THEFT MECHANISM KICKED IN WHEN NOT NEEDED, RADIATOR AND AIR/CONDITIONER WENT OUT BEFORE 70,000 MILES AND NOW THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACING...AT 67,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159411

97,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON CHRISTMAS DAY DRIVING WITH MY SON TO MY MOTHERS HOME ABOUT ONE HOUR AWAY, I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL. WHEN THE SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I CHECKED TO VERIFY THAT THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND…

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ON CHRISTMAS DAY DRIVING WITH MY SON TO MY MOTHERS HOME ABOUT ONE HOUR AWAY, I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL. WHEN THE SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I CHECKED TO VERIFY THAT THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A PARK AND RIDE, THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED, AND IS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR OF THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ZERO WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOSE ANY FLUID. THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNING LIGHTS REGISTERING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MAKE IS A CHRYSLER CONCORDE. IT IS A 1997, WITH 97,000 MILES. UP UNTIL THAT MOMENT THE VEHICLE WAS IDEAL. THEN WITHIN TEN FEET IT IS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR, WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146574

125,879 miles · Dec 6, 2005
Structure

WHEN I WOULD PLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE ON MY 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK AND ACCELERATE AT A RAPID RATE. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD STOP THE ACCELERATION WAS BY PLACING BOTH ON THE BRAKE AND TURNING THE KEY OFF. DAVE DENNIS CHRYSLER DEALER IN DAYTON, OH., VERIFIED THIS. THEY FOUND THAT THE C…

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WHEN I WOULD PLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE ON MY 1997 CHRYSLER CONCORDE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK AND ACCELERATE AT A RAPID RATE. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD STOP THE ACCELERATION WAS BY PLACING BOTH ON THE BRAKE AND TURNING THE KEY OFF. DAVE DENNIS CHRYSLER DEALER IN DAYTON, OH., VERIFIED THIS. THEY FOUND THAT THE CRADLE BUSHINGS WERE BAD WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO MOVE AND HIT THE THROTTLE WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO REV. UP IN GEAR. THEY REPLACED THE CRADLE BUSHINGS AND I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE SINCE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MECHANIC AT THE CHRYSLER DEALER STATED THAT WORN CRADLE BUSHINGS WERE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH K FRAMES USED ON CHRYSLERS. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM DUE TO CRADLE BUSHINGS WEAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144614

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2005
Power TrainStructureSuspension

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT CAR SEEMED TO BE PULLING TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HEARD SOMETHING POP AND RATTLE AND THEN PARTS STARTED FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE ON TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED MORE PARTS AND THEY FAILED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE WAS LEAKING .…

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THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT CAR SEEMED TO BE PULLING TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HEARD SOMETHING POP AND RATTLE AND THEN PARTS STARTED FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE ON TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED MORE PARTS AND THEY FAILED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE WAS LEAKING . ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT END WAS COMING PART AND WAS LOOSE. THE FRAME WAS LOOSE AND NOTHING WAS HOLDING IT TOGETHER. AFTER REPLACING ALL THE PARTS, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. BUT, DIDN'T TELL HER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, BUT NOW PROBLEM IS WORSE. CAR WAS JUMPING LIKE IT DIDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING. CONTACT CALLED NHTSA LAST WEEK AND TALKED TO A LADY AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID LINE. BOUGHT PIECE OF LINE AND WAS TOLD TO BUY A VACUUM PIPE.

NHTSA ODI #10118812

105,000 miles · Jul 12, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ENGINE ALWAYS GETS REAL HOT AND STALLS. SHE FORCED TO PULL…

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DT: THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ENGINE ALWAYS GETS REAL HOT AND STALLS. SHE FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN A DANGEROUS PLACES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128432

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2005
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER HAS DELAMINATED FROM METAL PORTION. APPEARS TO BE UNSAFE PASSENGER CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10127751

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

3

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.

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.