1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK BROKEN AT THE FIRST WELD ON THE VERTICAL PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY, NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE SEAT JUST WENT TO A RECLINED POSITION WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE VERTICAL FRAME …
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1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK BROKEN AT THE FIRST WELD ON THE VERTICAL PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY, NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE SEAT JUST WENT TO A RECLINED POSITION WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE VERTICAL FRAME WELD FAILURE, A CASTING FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE HORIZONTAL PORTION OF THE SEAT FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF RECLINE LEVER. THE FRAME CASTING WAS COMPLETING SEVERED AND WOULD NOT HAVE RETAINED THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN DECELERATION. THE SEAT WAS UNSAFE BUT DID NOT REVEAL ITSELF UNTIL THE BACK FRAME WELD FAILURE. MY STATE OF RESIDENCE IS WISCONSIN, YOUR PROGRAM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THIS STATE SO I CHOOSE ONE AT RANDOM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10107894
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Seat BeltsInjury
CONSUMER HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMERS WIFE WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FELT A VERY LARGE JOLT TO THE VEHICLE. THINKING THEY HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, THE WIFE TURNS TO CHECK ON THEIR 2 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS SEATED IN BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SAFETY BELT BELONGING TO THE…
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CONSUMER HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMERS WIFE WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FELT A VERY LARGE JOLT TO THE VEHICLE. THINKING THEY HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, THE WIFE TURNS TO CHECK ON THEIR 2 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS SEATED IN BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SAFETY BELT BELONGING TO THE VEHICLE HAD COME UNBUCKLED AND THE SON HAD BEEN THROWN INTO THE BACK OF THE SEAT HEAD FIRST. SOMEONE FROM THE CARSEAT SAFETY COALITION CAME TO CONSUMERS HOME TO INSPECT THE SEATS. THEY WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY. CRYSLER CLAIMS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SFETY BELT TO BECOME UNBUCKLED BY ITSELF. *JG
NHTSA ODI #564995
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1999
Seat Belts
CONSUMER'S SEATBELT BROKE. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844367
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1999
Seat Belts
FRONTAL SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION ,CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #841477
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1998
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #528553
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1997
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM WHEN RELEASING BELT FROM THE BUCKLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820071
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1997
Seat Belts
THE HEAD REST FOR THE INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #518315
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1996
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT BUCKLE STICKS, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO DISENGAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. 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 CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.
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
5
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
There is no summary currently available
Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
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
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.
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