NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
215 reportsClear category filter119,000 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER, OR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY LOSES CONTROL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER, OR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY LOSES CONTROL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES, HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 01-23-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED UPPER RADIATOR LOOSE, LOOSE CLAMPS, FRONT BRAKE PADS, BELT TENSIONER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND ALTERNATOR BRACKET. UPDATED 01/23/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203219
72,000 miles · Nov 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101746
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE CONSUMED ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY WEEK DUE TO A OIL LEAK FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079332
100,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10071613
112,000 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE LOSES LOTS OF OIL AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH. ALSO SMELL BURNING SMELL WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF. RADIATOR LOSES COOLANT. DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THESE THINGS. ALSO OIL LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN YOU TAKE A SHARP TURN. ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR, SINCE WE GOT IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067571
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064905
83,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringUnknown Or Other
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT CAN SLIP OFF. WHEN IT DOES, YOU POWER STEERING GOES (SAFETY) AND YOUR CAR CAN OVERHEAT WITHIN MINUTES. YOU ARE STRANDED. PUTTING THE BELT YOURSELF IS NOT EASY, EVEN WITH THE DIAGRAM (THANK GOODNESS THEY HAVE THE DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD FOR OTHER MECHANICS, DO IT YOURSELFERS) THERE IS…
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THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT CAN SLIP OFF. WHEN IT DOES, YOU POWER STEERING GOES (SAFETY) AND YOUR CAR CAN OVERHEAT WITHIN MINUTES. YOU ARE STRANDED. PUTTING THE BELT YOURSELF IS NOT EASY, EVEN WITH THE DIAGRAM (THANK GOODNESS THEY HAVE THE DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD FOR OTHER MECHANICS, DO IT YOURSELFERS) THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT NOT A RECALL. I THINK THEY PUT ON A BRACKET WHICH WILL HELP KEEP THE BELT ON TRACK IN CASE OF WET WEATHER.
NHTSA ODI #10071164
79,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WANT TO GET YOUR ADVICE ABOUT MY CARAVAN. EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY THAT I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR A LONG TIME. CARAVAN LOSES POWER WHILE RUNNING, I MEAN THAT ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT VERY UNSTABLE AND GOING TO STOP IF DEEPLY PRESS GAS PEDAL. ONCE I LOSE POWER, IT…
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I WANT TO GET YOUR ADVICE ABOUT MY CARAVAN. EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY THAT I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR A LONG TIME. CARAVAN LOSES POWER WHILE RUNNING, I MEAN THAT ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT VERY UNSTABLE AND GOING TO STOP IF DEEPLY PRESS GAS PEDAL. ONCE I LOSE POWER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT POWER. BUT IF I WAIT UNTIL ENGINE COOL DOWN (TYPICALLY AN HOUR OR SO), IT RECOVERS TO NORMAL CONDITION. EVEN THOUGH I CHECKED IT AT THE CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WOULD BE THE REASON. ONLY WHAT THEY CAN DO IS BASED ON THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS FROM MULTIPLE MISFIRE. WHEN IT WAS CHECKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT. BUT SOME PEOPLE, WHO WORK AT A GARAGE, TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT NORMAL. THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM MAY NOT BE MONITORED BY COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS; SPARK PLUG CABLE, (NOT SPARK PLUG BECAUSE IT IS LESS THAN 20000 MILE AFTER REPLACED), ROTOR, ROTOR CAP, FUEL FILTER AND AIR FILTER. IF THESE PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THERE IS STILL SAME PROBLEM, WE NEED TO SUSPECT FUEL PUMP. HE TOLD ME TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SOUND THAT CAN BE HEARD WHEN WE PUT THE KEY TO THE IGNITION POSITION WHEN STARTING ENGINE. IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAR FUEL PUMPING SOUND FOR ABOUT ONE SECOND EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING IF TURN THE KEY TO IGNITION POSITION. AND HE TOLD ME TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS SOUND AGAIN WHEN MY CAR LOSES THE POWER. IF THIS SOUND IS NOT HEARD, HE SAID THAT IT IS DEFINITELY DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT WHEN THE POWER IS NOT SUFFICIENT AND NEED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP. DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS SUGGESTION. UNTIL HIS ASSUMPTION IS PROVED, IT MAY BE A WASTE OF MONEY IF SIMPLY REPLACE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS QUITE EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10070077
66,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentUnknown Or Other
RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN AT 33,000 MILES THE BUMPER PAINT STARTED PEELING AWAY AND THE PAINT ON TOP OF THE BACK TRUCK DOOR, IT'S TERRIBLE AND LOOKS LIKE HELL. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED! I HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY SAY IT WON'T COVER , I HAVE HEARD DODGE HAS HAD A RECALL ON SOME YEARS OF …
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RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN AT 33,000 MILES THE BUMPER PAINT STARTED PEELING AWAY AND THE PAINT ON TOP OF THE BACK TRUCK DOOR, IT'S TERRIBLE AND LOOKS LIKE HELL. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED! I HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY SAY IT WON'T COVER , I HAVE HEARD DODGE HAS HAD A RECALL ON SOME YEARS OF PAINT PEELING
NHTSA ODI #10069055
69,000 miles · Jan 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE WAS CONSUMING TWO QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. ALSO, OIL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053675
Defect 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
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.
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