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1997 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 113 of 714 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports36 fire reports39 injury reports

Steering complaints

40 reports
Clear category filter
2,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WHERE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS RECONNECTED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10574469

114,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
SteeringVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD JUST REPLACED THE SERPINITINE BELT 2,000 MILES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465246

200,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED.THE VIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456088

150,000 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THEN IT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. THE BELT WAS PUT REPLAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THEN IT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. THE BELT WAS PUT REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10342195

141,562 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

ON RAINY DAYS WHEN MAKING SHARP LEFT TURN, THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN (3.0 V6) LOOSES POWER STEERING AND GOES OUT OF CONTROL. THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT SLIPPED OUT OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY CAUSING THE POWER STEERING LOSS LEADING TO THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IN ADDITION TO THE ROAD BEING WET AND SLIPPERY. THERE IS A POTEN…

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ON RAINY DAYS WHEN MAKING SHARP LEFT TURN, THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN (3.0 V6) LOOSES POWER STEERING AND GOES OUT OF CONTROL. THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT SLIPPED OUT OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY CAUSING THE POWER STEERING LOSS LEADING TO THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IN ADDITION TO THE ROAD BEING WET AND SLIPPERY. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH OR DEADLY ACCIDENT IF THIS CONDITION HAPPENS. THIS CONDITION HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217100

11,475 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

WHILE DRIVING OVER WATER PUDDLES CONSUMER NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT FROZE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AK THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE BELT TENSIONER FELL APART, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER,…

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WHILE DRIVING OVER WATER PUDDLES CONSUMER NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT FROZE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AK THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE BELT TENSIONER FELL APART, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER,THE A/C DID NOT BLOW COOL AIR DUE TO A LEAKING EVAPORATOR, AND THE BELT TENSIONER WOULD STICK AND MAKE NOISES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10057730

137,000 miles · Feb 3, 2004
Air BagsSteering

I OWN A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, WITH APPROX 139,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST READ IN THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATING DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S 1998-1999 DODGE CARAVANS/CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRYS/PLYMOUTH VOYAGERS. THE ARTICLE STATES THE VANS HAD A DEFECT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL/AIRBAG. MINE IS DOING THIS EXACT THING. ABOUT…

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I OWN A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, WITH APPROX 139,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST READ IN THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATING DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S 1998-1999 DODGE CARAVANS/CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRYS/PLYMOUTH VOYAGERS. THE ARTICLE STATES THE VANS HAD A DEFECT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL/AIRBAG. MINE IS DOING THIS EXACT THING. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. PLEASE INCLUDE THE 1997 MODEL YEARS IN THE INVESTIGATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10056446

70,502 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WE HAVE HAD OUR VEHICLE SINCE 1999 AND HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. THIS IS OUR THIRD CHRYSLER/DODGE VAN AND THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE THREE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE FIRST HAD THEM AT 37,000 MILES AND THIS ONE IS HAVING THEM AT 71,000 MILES. WE WERE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BOTH…

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WE HAVE HAD OUR VEHICLE SINCE 1999 AND HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. THIS IS OUR THIRD CHRYSLER/DODGE VAN AND THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE THREE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE FIRST HAD THEM AT 37,000 MILES AND THIS ONE IS HAVING THEM AT 71,000 MILES. WE WERE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BOTH VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY, ON THE CURRENT VAN THE WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST MONTH...BESIDES THE POOR ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSIONS THIS VAN HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND FRONT END NOISE AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH FRONT BRAKES RELATIVELY QUICKLY (WE DO NOT DRIVE IT ROUGHLY AND IT IS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AROUND OUR COMMUNITY APPROXIMATELY. 12000 MILES OR LESS A YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043534

190,000 miles · Apr 16, 2003
Steering

THE VEHICLES RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015954

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2003
Steering

WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10009470

Official recalls

7

02V293000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

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 VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 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.

02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Mar 8, 2002

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.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

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.

98V185000 · Child Seat

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.

97V200000 · Tires:bead

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.

97V070000 · Wheels:rim

Apr 28, 1997

THE STEEL ROAD WHEELS WERE DAMAGED BY THE EQUIPMENT USED TO MATCH MOUNT THE WHEEL TO THE TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SCORE MARK WAS MADE ON THE WHEEL, AFFECTING THE DURABILITY OF THE WHEEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL ROAD WHEELS (AND FULL SIZE SPARE TIRES) WITH NEW WHEELS.

96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 29, 1996

THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).

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

7

PE02004 · Rear Seat Belt Malfunction

Opened Jan 16, 2002 · Closed Mar 11, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR BIND.IN THIS CONDITION THE SEAT BELT IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AS THE WEBBING CANNOT RETRACT OR BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTORS FOR USE.RECALL SCOPE:THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1997 THROUGH 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & CONTRY BUILT ON A SHORT WHEEL BASE CHASSIS.THE INCLUSIVE DATES OF PRODUCTION ARE JUNE 1996 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1999.RECALL REMEDY: DAIMLERCHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTIC SOUND BARRIER PATCHES WITH FOAM BLOCKERS, AS WELL AS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL THIRD ROW REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES CONTAMINATED BY THE MASTIC PATCH.

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

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

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.

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.