← New search

1996 Chrysler Lhs

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lhs years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chrysler Lhs are substantially higher than the model-year median of 50.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 135 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.

  • Steering. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 14 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 reports7 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

135 reports
130,000 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL RAIL WHICH WAS REPAIRED IN 1999 BY PREVIOUS OWNER. ITS BLOWING FUEL ONTO THE MOTOR AGAIN. THE SAME ISSUE . IT HAS 130K MILES ON IT. WHEN OUR MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT WE SAW IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE PARTS PLACES WE CALLED SAID THEY DO NOT SELL THE THE RECALL KITS TO TAKE …

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL RAIL WHICH WAS REPAIRED IN 1999 BY PREVIOUS OWNER. ITS BLOWING FUEL ONTO THE MOTOR AGAIN. THE SAME ISSUE . IT HAS 130K MILES ON IT. WHEN OUR MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT WE SAW IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE PARTS PLACES WE CALLED SAID THEY DO NOT SELL THE THE RECALL KITS TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. CALLED DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH MANAGER. THEY SAID THE RECALL KITS ARE IN DETROIT AND SINCE THE RECALL. L HS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IT CANT BE REPAIRED AGAIN. WE CALLED MANUFACTURER. THEY SAID TO GO TO A SCRAP YARD TO GET PART OR CALL BACK DEALERSHIP AND ADVISE THEM TO ORDER THE KIT AND RE DO IT AND THERES ALSO ANOTHER RECALL ON IT CURRENTLY AMD FORBTHE DEALERSHIP TO HONOR THAT RECALL ALSO. WE CALLED BACK DEALERSHIP AND ARE CURRENTLY WAITING ON A DECISION. THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US TODAY. WE HAVENT HEARD BACK. THIS IS MY ONLY WORK VEHICLE. NOONE SELLS THE PART BECAUSE ITS A RECALL. IT BLOWING FUEL ALL OVER MOTOR AND IM WORRIED IT WILL CATCH FIRE .

NHTSA ODI #11133552

137,000 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Steering

HAS LOOSE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL AND STARTED GO OFF OF THE ROAD FOR A MOMENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD..

NHTSA ODI #10979461

84,000 miles · Jul 21, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER LHS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND STEER TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS OF THE VEHICLE WERE DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10887396

111,000 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Steering

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL LOST CONTROL WHILE TURNING LEFT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. DIAGNOSING FAILURE TODAY. BELIEVE EITHER TIE ROD OR STEERING BOX. IF YOUR STEERING WHEEL HAS ANY PLAY WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT DRIVING UNTIL HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC. LIVES COULD EASILY BE LOST AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664056

190,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngineFire

I PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND MOTOR OIL AND TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY KIDS WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621028

120,000 miles · Mar 7, 2010
SteeringSuspension

1.CLUNCKING,GRINDING, DOESN'T STEER PROPERLY 2.EVERY TIME IT'S ON THE ROAD 3.PARTS WILL BE REPLACED WHEN WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317442

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2009
SteeringSuspension

FRONT END SHAKING AND POPPING REPLACED TIRERODS A LOWERCONTROL ARMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10270133

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2009
Suspension

I BOUGHT A 96 LHS IN SEPT 2006 AND KNEW I NEEDED TO DO SOME FRONT END WORK. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT END WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIE RODS, BALL JOINT, HUB BEARINGS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, BOOTS (AXLES) TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. I CAN'T BEGIN TO REMEMBER ALL THE PARTS I HAVE REPLACED. NOW TODAY AF…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 96 LHS IN SEPT 2006 AND KNEW I NEEDED TO DO SOME FRONT END WORK. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT END WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIE RODS, BALL JOINT, HUB BEARINGS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, BOOTS (AXLES) TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. I CAN'T BEGIN TO REMEMBER ALL THE PARTS I HAVE REPLACED. NOW TODAY AFTER ANOTHER TRIP TO THE REPAIR SHOP I AM INFORMED THE RACK AND PINION IS SHOT. AFTER ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE STILL RIDES LIKE A TRACTOR. THERE ARE WEBSITES FULL OF THE SAME STORIES ABOUT DODGE/CHRYSLER AND NOBODY CAN MAKE THESE PEOPLE CLEAN THIS MESS UP? AND WE KEEP GIVING THEM BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. MY NEXT LETTER WILL BE TO MY SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVES TRYING TO STOP ANYMORE TAX DOLLARS GOING CHRYSLER'S WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265904

116,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Steering

1996 CHRYSLER LHS, LOOSE STEERING. DISCOVERED STEERING AT RISK OF TOTAL FAILURE, TIE ROD/RACK & PINION BUSHING COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. IF NOT DISCOVERED IN TIME, COULD HAVE CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE OF STEERING DUE TO BOLT SHEARING, PERHAPS CAUSING FATAL OR AT THE VERY LEAST, EXTREMELY INJURIOUS ACCIDENT.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226881

96,300 miles · Jan 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER LHS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK AND SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER A…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER LHS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK AND SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF THE O-RINGS AND FUEL RAILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED.

NHTSA ODI #10216015

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

4

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.