TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MAIN DRIVE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BUMPER WOULD SUDDENLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MAIN DRIVE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BUMPER WOULD SUDDENLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10660871
148,000 miles · Jul 13, 2013
Structure
WHILE REPLACING REAR BRAKE DRUMS IN MY GARAGE, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO JACK THE VEHICLE TO RAISE THE REAR LEFT SIDE AND REMOVE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL. I BROKE THE LUG NUTS LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE GROUND, THEN, USING THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE, I FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO POSITION TH…
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WHILE REPLACING REAR BRAKE DRUMS IN MY GARAGE, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO JACK THE VEHICLE TO RAISE THE REAR LEFT SIDE AND REMOVE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL. I BROKE THE LUG NUTS LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE GROUND, THEN, USING THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE, I FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO POSITION THE JACK IN THE RECOMMENDED LOCATION TOWARD THE LEFT REAR AT THE IDENTIFIED JACKING LOCATION. I RAISED THE VEHICLE JUST ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. AS I WAS SPINNING THE LUG NUTS OFF, THE CAR FELL OFF THE JACK. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE RUST HAD COMPROMISED THE STRUCTURAL METAL AT THE JACKING LOCATION AND THE WEIGHT, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING RAISED, CRUSHED THE WEAKENED STEEL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT TOO CLOSE AND WAS NOT CAUGHT UNDER THE WHEEL OR OTHER BODY PART. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR, AT THE RECOMMENDED JACKING LOCATION, HAD BEEN SEVERELY COMPROMISED BY RUST. THE EXTENT OF THE RUST DAMAGE WAS NOT OBVIOUS UNTIL THE CAR FELL OFF THE JACK. AT THAT POINT THE PAINT WHICH HAD BEEN HIDING THE DAMAGE HAD FALLEN OFF AS THE STRUCTURAL STEEL UNDER IT COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO A RUBBER PAD THAT CONTRIBUTED TO CONCEALMENT OF THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE SINCE IT COVERED MOST OF THE DAMAGED AREA SURROUNDING THE STUD USED TO PROPERLY LOCATE THE TOP OF THE JACK. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN CHRYSLER'S OWNER'S MANUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524685
123,000 miles · Dec 3, 2012
Structure
DURING AN INSPECTION OF OUR VAN IT WAS NOTED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE ON LINE I NOTICED MANY CASES WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE TO GET THIS CONDITION REPAIRED. ALSO I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF WARN…
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DURING AN INSPECTION OF OUR VAN IT WAS NOTED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE ON LINE I NOTICED MANY CASES WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE TO GET THIS CONDITION REPAIRED. ALSO I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF WARNING BEFORE THIS CONDITION FAILS RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487221
189,900 miles · Apr 27, 2012
StructureSuspension
THE LEFT HAND STRUT TOWER ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN HAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. LOCAL DODGE DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL AND THAT IT'S ONLY A COMESTIC PROBLEM. THEY WANT $2200 TO REPAIR WHICH IS MORE THAN VALUE OF VEHICLE. EVERYTHING I HAVE …
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THE LEFT HAND STRUT TOWER ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN HAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. LOCAL DODGE DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL AND THAT IT'S ONLY A COMESTIC PROBLEM. THEY WANT $2200 TO REPAIR WHICH IS MORE THAN VALUE OF VEHICLE. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ INDICATES THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD CAUSE A CRASH IF DRIVING WHEN THE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY FAILS. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS WELL KNOWN AND DOCEMENTED SAFETY PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456668
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2011
StructureSuspension
STRUT TOWER CORROSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386470
140,000 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Structure
1999 DODGE CARAVAN, SHOCK TOWER RUST, THIS IS NOT JUST COSMETIC RUST, THIS IS SERIOUS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WHERE THE SUSPENSION CAN FAIL BY BREAKING UP THROUGH THE SHOCK TOWER AND COLLAPSE THE FROM END OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DEFECT BY CHRYSLER AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE TWO DODGE CARAVANS AND BOTH HAVE THE SA…
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1999 DODGE CARAVAN, SHOCK TOWER RUST, THIS IS NOT JUST COSMETIC RUST, THIS IS SERIOUS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WHERE THE SUSPENSION CAN FAIL BY BREAKING UP THROUGH THE SHOCK TOWER AND COLLAPSE THE FROM END OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A DEFECT BY CHRYSLER AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE TWO DODGE CARAVANS AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME SHOCK TOWER RUST PROBLEMS. EVEN THE DODGE DEALERS KEEP MANY REPAIR KITS IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE LARGE DEMAND. AS THE DODGE CARVANS GET OLDER, THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF FAILURES AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES. THE VEHICLES ARE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD, AND HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS JUST WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346473
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2010
Structure
1999 DODGE CARAVAN. STRUT TOWERS RUSTED OUT NOT ONLY THE CAP BUT THE WHOLE TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IF THIS SHOULD FAIL IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. I JUST NOTICED THIS A WEEK OR SO AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343872
144,000 miles · Jun 17, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LIFT GATE HANDLE RUSTED CAUSING THE REAR DOOR NOT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10336792
130,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
StructureSuspension
BOTH STRUT TOWER CAPS RUSTED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318799
150,000 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Structure
VEHICLE SHOCK TOWERS RUSTING AWAY. FAILURE OCCURS IN MOST OF THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE IS RENDERED UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE BODILY HARM TO OCCUPANTS IF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. *TR
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.
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
6
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.
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
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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