NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
58 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 20, 2008
Trailer Hitches
TL*THE CONTACT'S SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH AND TOWING A 2004 WEEKEND WARRIOR FIFTH WHEEL, THE CROSS MEMBER DETACHED FROM THE UPRIGHT ON THE TRAILER HITCH. THE AMOUNT BEING TOWED AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 POUNDS. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT'S SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH AND TOWING A 2004 WEEKEND WARRIOR FIFTH WHEEL, THE CROSS MEMBER DETACHED FROM THE UPRIGHT ON THE TRAILER HITCH. THE AMOUNT BEING TOWED AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 POUNDS. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER AN ANALYSIS REVEALED POOR QUALITY WELDING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A NEW HITCH ASSEMBLED AND INSTALLED AT NO COST. UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10246142
59,000 miles · Sep 25, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HER VEHICLE FULLY AWARE THAT THERE WAS NO KEYHOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE INTENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE KEYHOLES ADDED, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE DONE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY RISK BEING ABLE TO ONLY ENTER THROUGH TH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HER VEHICLE FULLY AWARE THAT THERE WAS NO KEYHOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE INTENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE KEYHOLES ADDED, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE DONE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY RISK BEING ABLE TO ONLY ENTER THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10204076
60,000 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PASSED OUT DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. AS A RESULT, HE REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE AND CROSSED OVER THE MEDIAN INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED. THE POLICE ARRIVED…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PASSED OUT DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. AS A RESULT, HE REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE AND CROSSED OVER THE MEDIAN INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED. THE POLICE ARRIVED, FILED A REPORT, AND TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE IS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10201925
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2007
Power Train
2004 DODGE RAM PICKUP REGARDING RECALL.**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS WERE NOT HAVING THE ALARM INSTALLED AS IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER ATTACHED AN ALARM SYSTEM TO THE HORN TO ALERT THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10181646
35,679 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Power Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE OPENED FOR GREATER VISIBILITY WHILE BACKING OR CONNECTING A TRAILER, THE PARKING ALARM SOUNDED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REMOVE THE ALARM DUE TO FEDERAL MANDATE OF RECALL # 05V462000 (E17) FOR T…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE OPENED FOR GREATER VISIBILITY WHILE BACKING OR CONNECTING A TRAILER, THE PARKING ALARM SOUNDED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REMOVE THE ALARM DUE TO FEDERAL MANDATE OF RECALL # 05V462000 (E17) FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PARK ALARM.
NHTSA ODI #10173651
78,000 miles · Apr 27, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL WAS NOTICED ON THE INNER REAR PASSENGER TIRE. AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHANGED WITH THE SPARE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ALSO WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS SIDEWALL SEPARATION NOTICED ON THE INNER REAR DRIVER TIRE. THE VEH…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL WAS NOTICED ON THE INNER REAR PASSENGER TIRE. AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHANGED WITH THE SPARE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ALSO WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS SIDEWALL SEPARATION NOTICED ON THE INNER REAR DRIVER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REMAINING 5 TIRES WERE REPLACED. THESE WERE GOODYEAR 23580RR17 TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #10156323
42,000 miles · Mar 16, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE ROTORS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED EVERY 6,000-10,000 MILES. ALSO, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE ROTORS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED EVERY 6,000-10,000 MILES. ALSO, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF, UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE ON; A LIGHTNING BOLT WAS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT OPERATED PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ANY CODES ON THE COMPUTER, BUT DETERMINED THE WARNING LIGHT MEANT SOMETHING TRIGGERED THE THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE SURGED A SECOND TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10152874
19,800 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2004 DODGE RAM 1500. BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 19800 MILES. 1 YEAR AND A HALF AFTER PURCHASE. DODGE ONLY COVERS BRAKES FOR 1 YEAR OR 12000 MILES. HAD ROTORS TURNED AT A MIDAS STORE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150770
34,500 miles · Feb 21, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE; IT CAUSED A POWER STEERING HOSE TO BLOW. THIS ALSO CAUSED A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE CONTACT'S SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DIT…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE; IT CAUSED A POWER STEERING HOSE TO BLOW. THIS ALSO CAUSED A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE CONTACT'S SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10150701
44,000 miles · Feb 10, 2006
Electrical System
2004 DODGE DURANGO W/5.7 LITER HEMI ENGINE JUST STALLED/SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING UP A PARKING GARAGE RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. LOST ALL POWER TO POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PLACE IN PARK, AND THEN RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. HAVE HAD VEHICLE SINCE MAY OF 2004 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME…
Read full complaint
2004 DODGE DURANGO W/5.7 LITER HEMI ENGINE JUST STALLED/SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING UP A PARKING GARAGE RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. LOST ALL POWER TO POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PLACE IN PARK, AND THEN RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. HAVE HAD VEHICLE SINCE MAY OF 2004 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. VERY CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149933
NHTSA investigations
2EA05018 · Engine Stall
Opened Nov 2, 2005 · Closed Aug 29, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE ENGINE CALIBRATION CONCERNS THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE BULLETINS RELEASING REVISED PCM SOFTWARE.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI'S SURVEY OF OWNERS OF VEHICLES THAT RECEIVED ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES UNDER TSB #18-013-05 SHOW THAT THESE STALLING INCIDENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: - THEY OCCUR AT LOW SPEEDS, OFTEN DURING PARKING LOT ORDRIVEWAY MANEUVERS; - THEY OCCUR DURING DECELERATIONS, SUCH AS BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL; AND - THE OPERATOR IS ALMOST ALWAYS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE.WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECALLS OF CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN STALLING DURING LOW-SPEED DECELERATION WITH IMMEDIATE ENGINE RESTART POSSIBLE, THE FAILURE RATE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA ALSO SHOW A DECLINING TREND.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
EA04025 · False Park
Opened Aug 26, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Illustration