RE: 1999 CHRYSLER MINIVAN SEAT HEATER OVERHEAT FAILURE. VIN: [XXX]. ON 11/28/03, THE SUBJECT PASSENGER SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, PRODUCING SMOKE AND SIGNIFICANT ODOR. AS SOON AS IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS THE CAUSE, THE HEATER WAS MANUALLY SWITCHED OFF BEFORE THE HEATER FAILURE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH ITS' NA…
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RE: 1999 CHRYSLER MINIVAN SEAT HEATER OVERHEAT FAILURE. VIN: [XXX]. ON 11/28/03, THE SUBJECT PASSENGER SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, PRODUCING SMOKE AND SIGNIFICANT ODOR. AS SOON AS IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS THE CAUSE, THE HEATER WAS MANUALLY SWITCHED OFF BEFORE THE HEATER FAILURE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH ITS' NATURAL CONCLUSION. AFTERWARDS, A BURN HOLE WAS VISIBLY EVIDENT IN THE TOP CENTER PORTION OF THE SEAT CUSHION, APPROX. 10MM IN SIZE. DAMAGE INTERNAL TO THE SEAT WAS NOT EXAMINED BY MYSELF. UPON CONTACTING SERVICE AT SIEMENS CAR SERVICE AND PURCHASE POINT FOR THE VEHICLE 11/28/03 AND 12/1/03 (BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN), I WAS REFERRED TO CHRYSLER CORP. UPON CONTACTING CHRYSLER CORP 12/1/03 (PH. 800-992-1997, SPOKE WITH EMELIA, COMPLAINT NO. [XXX]) I WAS TOLD THAT, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND ITS' WARRANTY PERIOD, THERE IS NOTHING CHRYSLER WOULD DO REGARDING THE OVERHEAT FAILURE; THEY SIMPLY DOCUMENTED MY CONCERN. MY FAMILY (WIFE [XXX] AND THREE CHILDREN), PRESENT DURING THE OVERHEAT FAILURE, WERE SIGNFICANTLY CONCERNED BY THE SMOKE AND ODOR. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10051465
137,000 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Seats
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE CUSHION. *AK *PH
NHTSA ODI #10046300
56,000 miles · Aug 21, 2003
SeatsFire
PASSENGER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND PRUDUCED SMOKE AND BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER BECAUSE THE SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033223
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2003
SeatsFireInjury
DRIVER BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE WHILE TRAVELING WITH SEAT HEATER ON. DRIVER'S LEGS BEGAN TO BURN FROM THE SEAT, AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10033787
67,027 miles · Aug 2, 2003
Seats
I OWN A 1999 TOWN & COUNTRY LXI. ON JAN. 24, 2003 I HAD TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL GARAGE FOR A BROKEN SEAT . I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT TRACK AT THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN. CHRYSLER'S POSITION IS THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT A SEAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE IMPACT OF A CRASH, AND NOT FAIL DUE TO…
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I OWN A 1999 TOWN & COUNTRY LXI. ON JAN. 24, 2003 I HAD TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL GARAGE FOR A BROKEN SEAT . I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT TRACK AT THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN. CHRYSLER'S POSITION IS THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT A SEAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE IMPACT OF A CRASH, AND NOT FAIL DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. TO ME , THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030627
30,000 miles · Jun 19, 2003
Seats
VAN PURCHASED NEW IN 7/99. NOW HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND FINAL PAYMENT IS NEXT MONTH. IN DEC. 02, DRIVERS SIDE HEATING ELEMENT WENT OUT. IN FEB. 03, PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT. NOTICED A SMALL BURN HOLE IN SEAT, TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY WOULD ORDER NEW ELEMENTS, BUT WE'D HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE HOLE. FEB 24, DROPPED SON OFF AT S…
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VAN PURCHASED NEW IN 7/99. NOW HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND FINAL PAYMENT IS NEXT MONTH. IN DEC. 02, DRIVERS SIDE HEATING ELEMENT WENT OUT. IN FEB. 03, PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT. NOTICED A SMALL BURN HOLE IN SEAT, TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY WOULD ORDER NEW ELEMENTS, BUT WE'D HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE HOLE. FEB 24, DROPPED SON OFF AT SCHOOL, DRIVING TO WORK, KEPT SMELLING SOMETHING. LOOKED OVER AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. PULLED OVER, PUT IT OUT WITH SNOW. GOT TO WORK, CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT DAY!! WHEN LEAVING WORK, SEAT MOTOR KEPT RUNNING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY, ASKED THEM TO PULL THE FUSE SO THERE WOULD BE NO POWER TO THE SEATS. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO WAY IT DISCONNECT THE SEATS. WHEN HUSBAND GOT HOME, HE REACHED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND PULLED THE FUSE. TOOK IT IN THE NEXT MORNING, SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT AND ORDER NEW ELEMENT. ONE HOUR LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER NEW SEATS FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THAT WAS 2/25/03. TODAY IS 6/19/03, STILL NOT FIXED. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BUT NOT THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT IS STILL AT FACTORY. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF CALLING, THEY HAVE SAID THE FACTORY SHIPPED IT OUT 6/17 AND SHOULD BE HERE IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS. I REFUSE TO LET THEM PUT THE PASSENGER SIDE IN WITHOUT THE DRIVERS SIDE BEING FIXED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL CATCH FIRE ALSO. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE IS NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME THE DISTRICT REPS NUMBER. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER IS NO HELP, THEY JUST KEEP SAYING IT IS ORDERED. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE PARTS MANAGER, WE'D PROBABLY NEVER GET THE SEAT AT ALL. FROM THE LOOKS OF THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, THESE SEATS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN AND DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT. THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR 5 STAR RATING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023369
36,071 miles · Apr 14, 2003
Seats
THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED, AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015778
52,000 miles · Mar 10, 2003
SeatsFire
THE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10011206
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2003
SeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED OVER AND MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING. I TURNED OFF MY SEAT HEATERS AND WHEN I STOPPED THE VAN, I NOTICED THERE WAS THREE HOLES IN THE FRONT PART OF THE SEAT. THE HEAT COIL HAD BURNED THROUGH.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010252
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
SeatsFire
THE SEAT HEATER WAS TO HOT, WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER TO BURN A HOLE INTO THE DRIVER SEAT.*JB
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
8
EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE04017 · Overheating Of Seat Heaters
Opened Feb 18, 2004 · Closed Jun 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 24 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT SPARKS/OVERHEATS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO ONE OF TWO FACTORS:THE STITCHING OPERATION ON THE SEAT COVER MAY CAUSE THE SEWING NEEDLE TO SEVER SOME STRANDS OF THE WIRE HEATING GRID IN THE SEAT, OR A POOR SOLDER JOINT/WIRE CONNECTOR FAILS DUE TO IMPROPER PROCESSING OR LONG TERM OVERSTRESSING.THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH MUST BOTH BE TURNED ON TO POWER THE SEAT HEATER.COMPLAINANTS REPORT THAT WHEN OVERHEATING OCCURS, SWITCHING THE HEATER OFF ALSO STOPS THE OVERHEATING.THE FAILURE CANNOT OCCUR IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF.ODI FINDS THAT THE 33 FIRE ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING VERY LOCALIZED OVERHEATING(PHOTOS OF DAMAGED SEATS SHOW HOLES THE SIZE OF A PENCIL OR LESS).THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF SUSTAINED COMBUSTION AND NO REPORTS OF OTHER FIRE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.THE INJURY ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING MINOR INJURY.NO CONSUMERS REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT (PHYSICIAN CARE).THERE ARE NO ALLEGATIONS OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF A HEATED SEAT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).
EA01007 · 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
PE00034 · Overheating Of Front Seat Heaters
Opened Aug 31, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT SEATS OVER HEAT AND SMOKE OR CATCH FIRE
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
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