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1991 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 129 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

129 reports
294,998 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Service Brakes

NHTSA RECALL: 96V099000 LIFETIME COVERAGE...BENDIX 10 ABS BRAKE FAILURE. CHRYSLER CORPORATION DENIED REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS ON 10/20/2020..

NHTSA ODI #11365460

66,000 miles · Jun 6, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND TRAVELED HALFWAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES EVENTFULLY ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-LOCK AND BRAKE INDICATORS WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND TRAVELED HALFWAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES EVENTFULLY ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-LOCK AND BRAKE INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO THEN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLENBROOK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP (100 W COLISEUM BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46805, (260) 579-4713) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MANUAL MODE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11100230

140,000 miles · May 31, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED THE REDUCED POWER ASSIST TO FAIL DURING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED THE REDUCED POWER ASSIST TO FAIL DURING BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THE PART BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE SAME PART BEING REPLACED WOULD PREVENT THE FAILURE OR IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10871566

285,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA RECALL #96V099000, REFERENCING ABS LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER CRYSTAL CHRYSLER CENTER, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, (760) 324-4557, HAS FAILED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE MANDATED NHTSA LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS WITH THE EXCUSE THAT "DIAGNOSIS" IS IN…

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NHTSA RECALL #96V099000, REFERENCING ABS LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER CRYSTAL CHRYSLER CENTER, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, (760) 324-4557, HAS FAILED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE MANDATED NHTSA LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS WITH THE EXCUSE THAT "DIAGNOSIS" IS IN PROCESS. CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S "EXECUTIVE REFERRAL" CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE (586) 274-8177, HAS FAILED TO ASSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ABS ANTI-LOCK LIGHT REMAINS ON, PUMP AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO FAIL AND HAS CREATED A "DEAD SHORT" IN THE "FUSIBLE LINKS" CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE WIRING HARNESSES. NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE, I AM REQUESTING REPAIRS TO THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM UNDER THE NHTSA LIFETIME WARRANTY...PLEASE ASSIST. UPDATE 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 11/10/11.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10743825

189,485 miles · Dec 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL RAIL LEAKS GAS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294237

182,000 miles · Jun 30, 2007
Tires

PEP BOYS FUTURA PLUS TOURING SE P215/70R/15WW. PART#WK14CPU754. PURCHASED SET OF 4 ON 4/28/2004 AT HAMPTON, VIRGINIA PEP BOYS. BELT SEPARATION AFTER 18,000 MILES. HALF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES CIRCUMFERENCE BULGED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH. HAPPENED WHILE SETTING IN DRIVEWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALER …

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PEP BOYS FUTURA PLUS TOURING SE P215/70R/15WW. PART#WK14CPU754. PURCHASED SET OF 4 ON 4/28/2004 AT HAMPTON, VIRGINIA PEP BOYS. BELT SEPARATION AFTER 18,000 MILES. HALF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES CIRCUMFERENCE BULGED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH. HAPPENED WHILE SETTING IN DRIVEWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALER WHERE PURCHASED INITIALLY DENIED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE, THEN SAID THAT IS WHAT HE HAD BEEN TOLD TO SAY BY MANAGEMENT. MANAGER THEN OFFERED TO PRORATE AND REPLACE WITH SAME TIRE, THAT HAS NOW BEEN REBADGED AS A DEFINITY TIRE, AT A PRICE THAT IT WAS ALREADY BEING SOLD AT IN SETS OF 4. APPARENTLY HE ASSUMED I WAS IGNORANT. NOW RUNNING ON SPARE AND GOING TO BUY A SET OF MICHELIN X ONES AT COSTCO SINCE MY EXPERIENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IT AND IS STONEWALLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195058

154,033 miles · Dec 10, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY FOUR KIDS WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT HOME I HAD HIM LOOK AT IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO BAD THAT THERE WAS STANDING GAS ON THE VALVE COVER LEAKING INTO WHERE MY SPARK PLUGS ARE. I CONTACTED THE PLACE I AM BUYING IT FROM AND THEY REFUSE TO FI…

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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY FOUR KIDS WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT HOME I HAD HIM LOOK AT IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO BAD THAT THERE WAS STANDING GAS ON THE VALVE COVER LEAKING INTO WHERE MY SPARK PLUGS ARE. I CONTACTED THE PLACE I AM BUYING IT FROM AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT, UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. IS THERE ANY RECALL IN THIS PROBLEM?I SEE THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS SAME AS MINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144915

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. WHEN PROCEEDING TO PULL OFF VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ABS NOT UNLOCKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115196

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

UPON RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OF ABS BRAKES. THE SERVICE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE 7 RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY STATED THERE NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10113487

159,986 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LEAK IN THE FUEL RAIL. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, AND NEITHER WAS WILLING TO ASSIST THE OWNER. *AK....*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110948

Official recalls

6

99V213000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments

Sep 2, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.

99V189000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Jul 16, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.

97V148000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Sep 9, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.

97V149000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 9, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.

96V229000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Nov 18, 1996

THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

96V099000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Jun 13, 1996

THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

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

RQ99004 · Rear Liftgate Support

Opened Apr 19, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.

EA97005 · Safety Belt Anchorage Failures

Opened Apr 10, 1997 · Closed Dec 23, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

There is no summary currently available

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

EA95029 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened Sep 26, 1995 · Closed Nov 13, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS, CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS A FATIGUE FAILURE, ORIGINATION IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE PROJECTION WELDS OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE ATTACHMENT.THE HUB IS THE PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND IS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BY 4 WELDS.IF CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE WELDS AND PROPAGATE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE TO EACH OF THE WELDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN SEPARATE FROM THE HUB.THIS IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE FAILURE WHICH NORMALLY OCCURS AT HIGH MILEAGE.IN SOME CASES COMPLAINANTS HAVE REPORTED A LOOSENESS OR WOBBLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO SEPARATION.TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT, CHRYSLER WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEELS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE HUB AREA.IF ANY CRACKS ARE FOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE REPLACED.ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE REINFORCING PLATES INSTALLED WHICH WOULD PREVENT A STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION SHOULD CRACKING OCCUR.

EA94028 · Abs Braking System Fails

Opened Jul 29, 1994 · Closed Jun 24, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE94024 · Abs Braking System Fails

Opened Mar 7, 1994 · Closed Jul 29, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

EA94005 · Liftgate Latches

Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.