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1996 Dodge Intrepid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 377.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 75 of 505 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.

  • Steering. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports22 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

505 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

THE TWO INNER TIE ROD BOLTS SHEERED AT THE STEERING GEAR SIDE OF THE TIE RODS, CAUSING TOTAL STEERING CONTROL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, THE BOLTS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED, THE ORIGINAL RACK ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557677

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2000
Suspension

I'M A MOTHER OF A 2 YEAR OLD, AND HAVE TO TAKE HER IN MY CAR EVERYDAY. COME TO FIND OUT MY BUSHINGS ARE BAD, AND THAT WHOLE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH THE PART COSTING $800. PLUS LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP IN TOWN SAID THAT IT IS A COMMON THING IN THE 96 AND 97 INTREPIDS, BECAUSE THEY WENT TO THE NEW BODY, I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW C…

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I'M A MOTHER OF A 2 YEAR OLD, AND HAVE TO TAKE HER IN MY CAR EVERYDAY. COME TO FIND OUT MY BUSHINGS ARE BAD, AND THAT WHOLE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH THE PART COSTING $800. PLUS LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP IN TOWN SAID THAT IT IS A COMMON THING IN THE 96 AND 97 INTREPIDS, BECAUSE THEY WENT TO THE NEW BODY, I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR, OR $800 TO GET THIS FIX, AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS COMMON. I'VE READ LOTS OF COMPLAITS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND WORRY ABOUT HAVING MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR EVERYDAY. MY STEERING IS VERY LOSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT INCLUDE DATE AND MILAGE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BECAUSE IT WAS A SLOW PROCESS. I JUST NOTICED WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE LOAD NOICE WHEN I TURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736110

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2000
Tires

TIRE HAD ONLY 22,000 ON IT. THE TIRE PRESS WAS CHECKED 5 DAYS EARLIER. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDE WALL. (DOT NUMBER: BEXBEUU379 TIRESIZE: 225/60 R16)

NHTSA ODI #736108

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

DURING AND AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A 1996 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 3.3L ENGINE,THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THE RESOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO CRACKS AND THE FULE INJECTORS DUE TO LEAKING O-RINGS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIG…

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DURING AND AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A 1996 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 3.3L ENGINE,THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THE RESOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO CRACKS AND THE FULE INJECTORS DUE TO LEAKING O-RINGS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V184000 WHICH ADDRESS THE 3.5L ENGINE IN 1996 DODGE INTREPIDS.

NHTSA ODI #736046

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Suspension

I HEARD NOISES LIKE A LOOSE BOLT IN THE FRONT END. BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES. COULD NOT JUST REPLACE BUSHINGS HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TIE RODS. STILL NOISE IN THE FRONT END WILL HAVE CHECKED SOON. ALSO LOUD NOISE WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN COLD. SOUNDS LIKE METAL IS STICKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735917

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringCrash

AS MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION IN A PARKING LOT, SHE PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT. TO DO THIS SHE HAD TO GO AROUND A LIGHT POLE. AS SHE PULLED OUT SHE HIT THE LIGHT POLE. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE DAMAGES. THE DAMAGES WERE, CRUSHED LEFT FRONT BUMPER, A SMALL NIC ON THE HOOD AND A DAMAGED LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT…

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AS MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION IN A PARKING LOT, SHE PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT. TO DO THIS SHE HAD TO GO AROUND A LIGHT POLE. AS SHE PULLED OUT SHE HIT THE LIGHT POLE. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE DAMAGES. THE DAMAGES WERE, CRUSHED LEFT FRONT BUMPER, A SMALL NIC ON THE HOOD AND A DAMAGED LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY. WITH DAMAGED NOT LOOKING SEVERE, SHE PROCEEDED TO BRING THE AUTOMOBILE HOME. ON HER WAY SHE IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED A CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT, ALTERNATOR LIGH. AS I WENT TO INSPECT THE CAR, I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING PULLY WAS COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE MAIN SERPENTINE BELT WAS MISSING. THE FRAME WAS NO BENT AND THE IS NO WAY THAT ANYTHING COULD HAVE TOUCHED THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING THE PULLY TO BREAK OFF. I AM COURIOS TO ASK IF THIS IS A NOWN PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, LARRY ROUDEBUSH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735559

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2000
Steering

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #734754

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Power Train

CONTIUED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, REPAIRS MADE 2TIMES, DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY IT HAPPENS, ENGINE RPM SURGES EXTREMLY HIGH.AVERAGE RPM AT 60MPH IS 2000RPM, IT IS SURGING WELL OVER 3500RPM ON A FLAT SURFACE

NHTSA ODI #734441

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2000
Steering

THE FRONT TIE RODS AND THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE STEERING AT FIRST BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULD NOT TRIGGER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. WE FIRST HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED AND THE CAR ALIGNED BUT THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE…

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THE FRONT TIE RODS AND THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE STEERING AT FIRST BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULD NOT TRIGGER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. WE FIRST HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED AND THE CAR ALIGNED BUT THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND THEN WERE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE RACK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED CHAMPION CHRYSLER IN INDEPENDENCE, MO AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN "UPGRADE KIT" AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK. WE PURCHASED THE KIT BUT NO ONE WOULD TAKE ON THE REPAIR OTHER THAN THE DEALER, SO WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #733557

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2000
Steering

BUSHINGS WORN ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS. THIS CAUSED STEERING TO SHAKE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF WHEEL(S) WHILE DRIVING. TIRES WERE WORN BADLY DUE TO TIE ROD PROBLEM. REMEDY CONSISTED OF REPLACING BOTH TIE RODS AND BOTH FRONT TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #733094

Official recalls

2

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V184000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

DP04007 · Fuel Rail, Brake Fluid, Chassis

Opened Oct 13, 2004 · Closed Oct 27, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Structure:frame And Members

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

Structure:frame And Members

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock

Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

EA99031 · Steering System Rack And Pinion

Opened Oct 29, 1999 · Closed Sep 13, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99044 · Steering System Rack And Pinion

Opened Jun 28, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS.DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN.THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.

RQ98018 · Fuel Injection Delivery System Fuel Leak

Opened Oct 7, 1998 · Closed Jul 8, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

No summary supplied.