NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
997 reports35 miles · Nov 24, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE..IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. MY 4YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR WERE LOST, I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF TH…
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THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE..IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. MY 4YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR WERE LOST, I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO IN RETURN TOLD ME THAT MY MOTOR WAS TRASH, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES EVERY TIME AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHOM I KNEW VERY WELL, TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR AS WELL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PISTONS BLEW DUE TO BUILD UP OF ENGINE SLUDGE, AND THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT WORTH FIXING, AND THAT I SHOULD BUY A REBUILT OR NEW MOTOR. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THIS DATA ON THE INTERNET WHEN I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND MANY MORE LIKE IT. I QUICKLY BECAME INFURIATED WITH THE DODGE COMPANY, AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY ENGINES, YET THEY CONTINUE TO BLAME THE CONSUMER AND REFUSE TO RECALL THESE MOTORS. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING MUCH FASTER OR BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION, SUCH AS TRAIN TRACKS NEAR OUR HOUSE. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD, DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,YET REFUSE TO BACK THEIR PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN, AND I WILL NOT LET ANY FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE READING THIS DO SO EITHER. IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRODUCING JUNK MOTORS, SHOULDN'T YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONSUMERS WITH THE RESPECT TO WARN THEM OF THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS THAT AWAIT THEM. IF THERE ARE DEATHS BECAUSE OF THIS, CAN YOU REALLY GET AN HONEST NIGHTS REST??? I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR DODGE THAT I ONCE HAD. I NOW HAVE A CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS WORTHLESS AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE I CAN'T INVEST 4-8K INTO THE CAR FOR THE NEW ENGINE NEEDED...WHY BOTHER ANYWAY WHEN THAT MOTOR WOULD DO THE EXACT SAME THING IN A MATTER OF TIME..BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTE JUNK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174143
87,000 miles · Nov 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DODGE INTREPID 1998 TO LATEST MODEL YEAR. ENGINE 2.7L PROBLEM ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP. THE WEEP (VENT) HOLE IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HEADS IN THE "V" VALLEY OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE WEEP HOLE IS TO ALERT THE OWNER OR MECHANIC OF A EARLY SIGN THAT THE WATER PUM…
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DODGE INTREPID 1998 TO LATEST MODEL YEAR. ENGINE 2.7L PROBLEM ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP. THE WEEP (VENT) HOLE IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HEADS IN THE "V" VALLEY OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE WEEP HOLE IS TO ALERT THE OWNER OR MECHANIC OF A EARLY SIGN THAT THE WATER PUMP IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WEEP HOLE IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE VALLEY AND CANNOT BE SEEN. ANY ENGINE COOLANT THAT DRAINS IN THE VALLEY EVAPORATES DUE TO ENGINE HEAT AND TIME. AS TIME GOES ON THE FRONT AND LAST SEAL IN THE PUMP FAILS AND COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE ENGINE OIL CAUSING SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE WEEP HOLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUTED TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE SO THE OWNER MECHANIC CAN SEE A COOLANT LEAK. A WATER PUMP SHOULD NEVER BE IN A LOCATION WHERE IT'S FAILURE COULD CAUSE COOLANT TO MIX INTO THE ENGINE OIL, THIS IS THE DESIGN FLAW! THIS IS WHY I FEEL THAT THESE ENGINE FAIL WITH MILEAGE OF LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. WATER PUMPS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. IN THIS CASE WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE THERE IS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR I HAVE, I PURCHASED WITH A FAILED ENGINE AND WILL REPAIR THE 2.7L ENGINE AND ALTER THE WEEP HOLE WITH A SMALL COPPER PIPE AND ROUTE IT SO IT CAN BE SEEN IF COOLANT LEAKS. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE WEEP HOLE IF YOU NEED THEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174138
93,000 miles · Nov 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING NEIGHBOR AND GRANDSON DOWN INTERSTATE TO DESTINATION 25 MILES. AWAY. APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES INTO TRIP BEGAN TO FEEL CAR PULLING BACK AS I TRIED TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH. CAR STALLED AS I EXITED INTERSTATE AND EVERY TIME I HAD TO STOP. MADE IT TO DESTINATION AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I PULLED IN.…
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I WAS DRIVING NEIGHBOR AND GRANDSON DOWN INTERSTATE TO DESTINATION 25 MILES. AWAY. APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES INTO TRIP BEGAN TO FEEL CAR PULLING BACK AS I TRIED TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH. CAR STALLED AS I EXITED INTERSTATE AND EVERY TIME I HAD TO STOP. MADE IT TO DESTINATION AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I PULLED IN. CHECKED OIL AND RADIATOR, OIL DOWN X1QT. BARELY MADE IT HOME, AFTER RESTING CAR APPROX. 15 MINUTES USING EMERGENCY LIGHTS THE ENTIRE WAY HOME. STALLED 10 TIMES AFTER I EXITED INTERSTATE. TOOK TO REPUTABLE MECHANIC, HAD TO DRIVE SLOW BECAUSE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. FOUND OUT TIMING CHAIN BROKE, ESTIMATE $1,500.00 TO REPAIR. RECEIVED CALL 2 DAYS LATER, ENGINE SHOT DUE TO PISTON AND POSSIBLE RISK PIN DAMAGE DONE TO CYLINDERS. IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE MONEY TO DIAGNOSE EXACTLY DUE TO FACT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TORN DOWN. WE BOUGHT CAR FROM INDIVIDUAL IN 2002, CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 93,000 MILES SOUNDS LIKE CHRYSLER OWES MANY PEOPLE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY! WILL NEVER BUY CHRYSLER OR DODGE CAR AGAIN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10174134
27,000 miles · Nov 18, 2006
Exterior Lighting
HEAD LIGHTS ON VEHICLE BECAME CLOUDED UP. LIMITED VISION OF ROAD AT NIGHT. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I DO NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173784
80,000 miles · Nov 17, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SECONDARY HIGHWAY WHEN MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID STARTED TO BUCK ON ME. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS SKIPPING AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY EXHAUST WHEN IT BUCKED . I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL COMPUTER TUNE AND LUBE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I W…
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ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SECONDARY HIGHWAY WHEN MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID STARTED TO BUCK ON ME. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS SKIPPING AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY EXHAUST WHEN IT BUCKED . I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL COMPUTER TUNE AND LUBE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR IN THE CAR TO THE TUNE OF 6500 DOLLARS. I BECAME ANGRY AND LIMPED MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE I HAD A WARRANTY I COULD GET THE ENGINE FIXED THE ENGINE IS A 2.7 LITRE. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHO PROCEEDED TO BREAK DOWN THE ENGINE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I SHOULD FORWARD ALL MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS TO THE COMPANY. NOW EARLIER THIS YEAR IN FEBRUARY MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND EVENTUALLY THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN THEY WERE DONE THE CHECKED OUT MY FLUIDS OIL AND OTHER ITEMS AND THAT SETTLED THAT. I ONLY PUT 5000 MILES ON THE CAR BETWEEN THEN AND NOW AND FROM WHAT THE DESCRIBED YOU WOULD THINK I RAN THE CAR INTO THE GROUND. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY CARS AND HAVE KEPT A CONSISTENT RECORD OF RUNNING THEM FOR TEN YEARS. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS SENDING OUT AN INSPECTOR BUT THEY ARE GOING TO AVOID PAYING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR AND ALREADY IT'S IN WORSE SHAPE THAN ANY OF MY PREVIOUS CARS @ TEN YEARS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME AS TO A POSSIBLE RECOURSE TO THIS DILEMMA. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173761
129,970 miles · Nov 15, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON CLEAR DRY ROADS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 40 MINUTES, AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD MAL…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON CLEAR DRY ROADS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 40 MINUTES, AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA ODI #10173543
92,000 miles · Nov 1, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10172388
84,936 miles · Oct 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE VALVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #10172174
127,979 miles · Oct 29, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ROD IN THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING DUE TO THE OIL RETURN BEING BUILT WITH 2 90 DEGREE ANGLES NOT ALLOWING OIL TO GET BACK INTO THE ENGINE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172105
75,000 miles · Oct 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER ONLY 75000 MILES.I HAD JUST HAD THE THE TIMING CHAIN,OIL PUMP REPLACED AND THE ENGINE FLUSHED FOR OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE A FEW MONTHS BEFORE.I HAVE NOT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED YET BECAUSE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172053
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. 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.
Apr 11, 2001
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.
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
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
2EA03011 · 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.
PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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