ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2003,WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN ON ERRANDS WITH OUR FOUR CHILDREN, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ULTIMATELY, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AS A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN THE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM. LUCKILY, MY WIFE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO SHUT OFF THE SEAT …
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ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2003,WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN ON ERRANDS WITH OUR FOUR CHILDREN, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ULTIMATELY, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AS A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN THE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM. LUCKILY, MY WIFE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO SHUT OFF THE SEAT AND GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID A FULL BLOWN FIRE. HOWEVER, THIS SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A TRAGEDY WAS AVERTED ONLY BY HER QUICK REACTION. A SEAT HEATING SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT HAVE A MECHANISM TO SHUT ITSELF OFF BEFORE IT GETS THIS HOT IS UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045119
57,000 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Seats
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A THROUGH THE LEATHER INTERIOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017372
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2003
Seats
THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10012070
57,257 miles · Jan 21, 2003
SeatsFire
2000 CHRYSLER TOWN& COUNTRY (LIMITED) OWED FOR 2 YEARS 11 MONTHS, 57300 MILES -I WENT TO MY VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND. WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER TO WARM IT UP DUE TO THE SEVERE COLD. THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND SAW GLO…
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2000 CHRYSLER TOWN& COUNTRY (LIMITED) OWED FOR 2 YEARS 11 MONTHS, 57300 MILES -I WENT TO MY VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND. WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER TO WARM IT UP DUE TO THE SEVERE COLD. THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND SAW GLOWING EMBERS AROUND THE HOLE THAT WAS CREATED FROM A HIGH HEAT SOURCE. I TURNED SEAT HEATER BACK ON TO CONFIRM THE SOURCE OF THE GLOWING EMBERS. SPARKS BEGAN TO SHOT OUT OF HOLE IN BURNT LEATHER SEAT. MY THOUGHTS ARE THAT SOMETHING IN THE HEATER CAUSED THE SMOKE AND GLOWING EMBERS. ALTHOUGH, THIS CAR HAS HIGH MILEAGE, THE LEATHER SEATS ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I WOULD EXPECT THAT THE SEAT HEATER WOULD BE REASONABLY DURABLE. THIS CAR HAS THE CHRYSLER BASIC WARRANTY, BUT THE ISSUE OF SAFETY/HAZARD CANNOT BE DENIED. IF THIS HAD BEEN THE PASSENGERS SEAT WITH A CHILD, INSTEAD OF AN ADULT, THE OUTCOME MAY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ALSO, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE (MY ROUTE TO WORK IS VA INTERSTATE 66 AND IS USUALLY VERY HEAVILY TRAVELED) I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. NOTE, DURING THIS EVENT, NO FUSES BURNED OUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
NHTSA ODI #10003137
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2003
Seats
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING BURNING OF WIRERS. SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH..
NHTSA ODI #10002070
47,500 miles · Jan 6, 2003
SeatsFire
SEAT WARMER IN DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED HOLE IN SEAT AND DAMAGED WOMANS COAT.
NHTSA ODI #10000562
60,000 miles · Nov 14, 2002
SeatsFire
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BURNED. THE SPONTANEOUS IGNITION WAS CAUSED BY THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE SEAT CUSHION WHICH BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. NO ONE WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *MR *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8022747
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2002
SeatsFire
OEM SEAT HEATER CAUSED FIRE AND BURNED HOLE IN THE LEATHER. CAN'T SEEM TO GET CHRYSLER INTERESTED IN THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE. DT
NHTSA ODI #769711
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Seats
WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, WHICH COULD BE UNLATCHED AND TAKEN OUT BUT IN THIS CASE WAS LATCHED, MOVED FORWARD, HITTING FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. USUALLY THEIR CHILD WOULD BE SITTING IN THAT SEAT. THIS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH SEAT LATCH SYSTEM. *AK
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.
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
4
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.
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
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
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