NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
147 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
Power Train
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AFTER RETURNING A NEW CAR (1998 SATURN SW1) BACK TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT HAD GONE THROUGH FUEL INJECTIONS AND HAD ROTOR PROBLEMS THAT SATURN WOULD NOT FIX. THEY GAVE ME AN OPTION TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AS THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE ONE YEAR OLD WAGON T…
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THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AFTER RETURNING A NEW CAR (1998 SATURN SW1) BACK TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT HAD GONE THROUGH FUEL INJECTIONS AND HAD ROTOR PROBLEMS THAT SATURN WOULD NOT FIX. THEY GAVE ME AN OPTION TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AS THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE ONE YEAR OLD WAGON THAT WAS A LEMON. I FEEL DUE TO WHERE THE VAN ORIGINATED FROM (VIRGINIA), AND THE LAST OWNER WAS IN ALABAMA AND I PURCHASED IT IN WASHINGTION THAT POSSIBLY THE ODOMETER MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED BACK. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO OUT AT 53,000 MILES (3,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE). I SPOKE TO FOUR DEALERSHIPS IN SEATTLE AREA WHO WERE NO HELP. THE SERVICE MANAGERS AT EACH DEALERSHIP WAS RUDE AND SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $2200.00 + TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I WANT ALL VIN INSPECTIONS FROM EACH STATE THAT THIS VAN HAS BEEN TITLED TO SEE IF THE ODOMETER WAS INDEED TURNED BACK OR IF THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I NEED ASSISTANCE AS I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN TO GET ANSWERS WITH LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM BOTH CHRYSLER AND SATURN. THANKS MUCH FOR ANY AND ALL DETAILS YOU CAN PROVIDE. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS TRANSMISSION IF MANY CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #710445
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISE UNDER 30 MILES PER HOUR. TOLD IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL. WE HAD THE "TOWING PACKAGE" AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP FOR $2100. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT. HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET. OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS: OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, WATER PUMP REPLACED, WINDSHI…
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TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISE UNDER 30 MILES PER HOUR. TOLD IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL. WE HAD THE "TOWING PACKAGE" AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP FOR $2100. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT. HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET. OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS: OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, WATER PUMP REPLACED, WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL REPLACED, AIR BAG COMPONENT REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #708180
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Power Train
DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG AND A GRINDING NOISE WHILE AT A STOP AND VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVER VEHICLE HOME. WHEN VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH, IN TURN, CAUSED A HOLE TO BE BLOWN IN TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. PARTS ARE ON NATON…
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DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG AND A GRINDING NOISE WHILE AT A STOP AND VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVER VEHICLE HOME. WHEN VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH, IN TURN, CAUSED A HOLE TO BE BLOWN IN TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. PARTS ARE ON NATONAL BACK ORDER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #840722
Mileage unknown · May 20, 1999
Power Train
AT 51,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE WHICH ALSO MALFUNCTIONED AFTER ONLY NINE DAYS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #838207
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
EquipmentPower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. YH
NHTSA ODI #782061
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1999
Power Train
THE PIN THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE RETAINER CLIP SLIPPED AND SCARRED THE ALUMINUM, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE TRANFER CASE WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836265
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Power TrainCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE JUMPED FROM DRIVE INTO REVERSE AT HIGH SPEED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT A HOUSE SIDEWAYS. DEALER STATED THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835986
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED 5 TIMES; REPAIRED ONCE; REPLACED 4 TIMES. MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT 1/20/99 AT 58000 MILES. THIS FAILURE CHARACTERIZED BY TRANSMISSION EXPLOSION WITH HIGH SPEED PROJECTILE FROM TRANSMISSION CASE DESTROYING DIFFERENTIAL AND STARTER. CAR BECAME UNABLE TO CONTROL AND ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVO…
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TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED 5 TIMES; REPAIRED ONCE; REPLACED 4 TIMES. MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT 1/20/99 AT 58000 MILES. THIS FAILURE CHARACTERIZED BY TRANSMISSION EXPLOSION WITH HIGH SPEED PROJECTILE FROM TRANSMISSION CASE DESTROYING DIFFERENTIAL AND STARTER. CAR BECAME UNABLE TO CONTROL AND ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. IF THIS OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE
NHTSA ODI #704583
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION COMPLETLT LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING CAUSING CAR TO SKID TO A STOP
NHTSA ODI #702277
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1998
Parking BrakePower Train
TRANSMISSION VIBRATES ON 1/2 UPSHIFT, DEALER COULD FIND NO REASON FOR IT. EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE, HAD TO DRIVE SIX WEEKS WITHOUT EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE DEALER GOT REPLACEMENT PART TO INSTALL
NHTSA ODI #701339
NHTSA investigations
14EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00032 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Aug 8, 2000 · Closed Feb 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
EA97002 · Fuel Tank Leaks
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Feb 10, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WAS OPENED ON JANUARY 31, 1997 BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE96-051. THE PE WAS OPENED ON AUGUST 19, 1996, TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT JOINS THE FUEL TANK.FOR BREVIDY, THIS AREA WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE PUMP/TANK INTERFACE.THESE ALLEGATIONS WERE FIRST RECEIVED BY ODI ON AUGUST 2, 1996 WHILE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF CHRYSLER MINIVAN THROTTLE SHAFT HAND-UP, AND UNCONTROLLED ENGINE SPEED, IN PE96-036.WHILE DISCUSSING THAT ISSUE WITH A FLEET, IT WAS ALLEGED THAT AT LEAST 10(OUT OF 40) 1996 EARLY PRODUCTION CHRYSLER MINIVANS LEAKED FUEL FROM THE PUMP/TANK INTERFACE.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE FUEL TANK LEAKAGE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES PREDOMINATLY AFFECTED EARLY PRODUCTION VEHICLES.THE DATA INVOLVING CONFIRMED INCIDENTS OF TANK/PUMP INTERFACE LEAKS SUGGEST THAT THOSE FAILURES HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE JULY 1996.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS OF THE SUBJECT CONDITION INVOLVING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PUMPS AND TANKS SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1997.CURRENTLY THIS ISSSUE DOES NOT REQRESENT A CONTINUING FIELD CONCERN.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR FUEL LEAKS OF ANY TYPE.A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURED DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
EA96025 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened Oct 15, 1996 · Closed Jul 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
ANALYSIS OF KNOWN INCIDENTS INDICATES A DECLINING TREND OVER THE LAST FIVE CALENDAR QUARTERS.EXTENSIVE TESTING OF INCIDENT VEHICLES HAS FAILED TO REPRODUCE OCCURRENCES OF FULL LATCH DISENGAGEMENT.NO FAILURE MODE WHICH COULD CAUSE A PROPERLY LATCHED DOOR TO LOSE FULL LATCH ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING HAS BEEN VERIFIED AS A CAUSAL FACTOR IN ANY OF THE KNOWN INCIDENT VEHICLES DURING THIS INVESTIGATION.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.HOWEVER, ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINT INPUT FOR THE NEXY YEAR AND WILL REQUEST UPDATED REPORTS FROM CHRYSLER DURING THAT PROCESS.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
PE96051 · Fuel Leaks From The Gas Tank
Opened Aug 19, 1996 · Closed Jan 31, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ANALYSIS TO DATE INDICATES THAT SOME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLESCONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL TANK AT THE SENDING UNIT INTERFACE.MOST OFTEN THE LEAK INVOLVES THE O-RING SEAL.
PE96038 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened May 16, 1996 · Closed Oct 15, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
CHRYSLER MAINTAINS THAT THE COMMON FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO KNOWN SLIDING DOOR OPENING INCIDENTS IS PRIOR INCORRECT DEALER LATCH ADJUSTMENT.CHRYSLER ATTRIBUTES THIS PROBLEM TO AN INACCURATE SERVICE MANUAL PROCEDURE - SLIDING DOOR LATCH/LOCK CONTROL, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION.CHRYSLER FURNISHED INFORMATION SHOWING THAT SIX OF ITS COMPLAINTS, AND TWO OF ODI'S, INVOLVED VEHICLES THAT HAD UNDERGONE PRIOR REPAIRS TO THE AFFECTED SLIDING DOOR.CHRYSLER HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS.TSB 26-06-96, SERVICE MANUAL REVISIONS, WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 1996 AND INCLUDES A SERVICE REVISION (#81-370-6105A) CORRECTING SERVICE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR REPAIR PROCEDURES.TSB 23-39-96, SLIDING DOOR(S) DIFFICULT TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND/OR INSIDE, WAS ISSUED JUNE 28, 1996.CHRYSLER IDENTIFIED THREE DESIGN CHANGES INVOLVING THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS: (1)SLIDING DOOR LATCH PAWL SPRING FORCE INCREASED FROM 5.4 NEWTONS TO 8.0 NEWTONS IN SEPTEMBER 1995 TO ENHANCE PAWL ROTATION RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION; (2)ADJUSTABLE SLIDING DOOR HINGE IMPLEMENTED IN NOVEMBER 1995 TO REDUCE VARIATION IN SLIDING DOOR FIT; AND(3)SLIDING DOOR STRIKER ATTACHMENT HOLES REVISED IN JANUARY 1996 TO ELIMINATE UP/DOWN ADJUSTMENT OF STRIKER TO IMPROVE INSTALLATION PROCESS AND REDUCE VARIABILITY OF ALIGNMENT BETWEEN LATCH AND STRIKER.AT PRESENT, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY INCIDENTS INVOLVING VEHICLES BUILT IN OR AFTER JANUARY 1996.ODI HAS CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS OF SLIDING DOORS OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE IN MOTION, INCLUDING VEHICLES WITH NO PRIOR SERVICE HISTORY TO THE AFFECTED SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE DOORS OPEN ANYWHERE FROM A FEW INCHES TO FULLY OPEN, AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 15 TO 60 MPH.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED NUMBEROUS COMPLAINTS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY IN LATCHING THE SUBJECT SLIDING DOORS AND/OR DIFFICULTY IN OPENING ONE OR BOTH SLIDING DOORS.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE95053 · Fuel Leakeage From Rollover Valve
Opened Oct 25, 1995 · Closed Dec 22, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control
There is no summary currently available
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