I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY JOB AND I MAY A FULL STOP ON A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE STOP SO I PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE CONTROL PANEL TO VIEW ANY ANORMAL SIGNAL. AFTERWARDS I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND PUT THE CAR ON DRIVE, I TURNED RIGHT ON THE INTERSECTION . AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 FEET THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN AND WHEN I TRY TO TURNED…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY JOB AND I MAY A FULL STOP ON A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE STOP SO I PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE CONTROL PANEL TO VIEW ANY ANORMAL SIGNAL. AFTERWARDS I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND PUT THE CAR ON DRIVE, I TURNED RIGHT ON THE INTERSECTION . AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 FEET THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN AND WHEN I TRY TO TURNED IT ON THERE WAS A BIG EXPLOSION AND A BIG FLAME CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE. INMEDIATEDLY I GOT OUT FROM THE CAR AND SOME PASSBYERS CALLED THE POLICE AND FIREMEN. UP TO THIS MOMENT I LACK KNOWLEDGE OF WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFOR MATION ABOUT THIS OR ANY SIMIILAR ACCIDENTS OF THIS CAR'S TRADEMARK AND MODEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #739017
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHAT I AM DOING IS TRYING TO GET HELP; MY VEHICLE IS BADLY LEAKING OIL, THE RECALL IS FOR GALLEY PLUGS, BUT THE DEALER IN PHOENIX SAYS IT IS THE HEAD GASKET AND NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, APPROXIMATELY. $900.00 TO FIX. THE DEALERSHIP SAID TO ME ON THE PHONE, "AT THAT MILEAGE IT WON'T BE THE GALLEY PLUGS, IT'L BE THE HEAD GASKET…
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WHAT I AM DOING IS TRYING TO GET HELP; MY VEHICLE IS BADLY LEAKING OIL, THE RECALL IS FOR GALLEY PLUGS, BUT THE DEALER IN PHOENIX SAYS IT IS THE HEAD GASKET AND NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, APPROXIMATELY. $900.00 TO FIX. THE DEALERSHIP SAID TO ME ON THE PHONE, "AT THAT MILEAGE IT WON'T BE THE GALLEY PLUGS, IT'L BE THE HEAD GASKET, THAT'S WHAT IT ALWAYS IS WITH THOSE STRATUS'"(EMPHASIS MINE). WHAT I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT IF IT IS A COMMON OF ENOUGH PROBLEM FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO SAY THAT, AS WELL AS A HEAD GASKET TO BE SHOT AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE, WHY ISN'T THIS JUST AS MUCH AS A RECALL AS THE GALLEY PLUGS, ALLOWING ME AND I'M SURE MANY OTHERS TO BE HELPED. CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER THIS REQUEST, I CALLED THE CHRYSLER FACTORY ABOUT THIS AND THEY COULD HAVE CARED LESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725457
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Electrical System
TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF VEHICLE BEING HARD TO START, OR STALLING FOR NO REASON. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. CAR WOULD STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON HOT DAY, STALL WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, STALL WHEN STOPPED FOR LIGHT,ETC., SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE HARD TO START. H…
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TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF VEHICLE BEING HARD TO START, OR STALLING FOR NO REASON. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. CAR WOULD STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON HOT DAY, STALL WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, STALL WHEN STOPPED FOR LIGHT,ETC., SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE HARD TO START. HAD TO PLACE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELORATOR AND QUICKLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO GET THE CAR GOING. FINALLY, AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHILE ENGINE HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY. THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR AT A COST OF $900.00 TO ME. DEALERSHIP NO HELP. TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TOO FAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY EVENTHOUGH I HAD REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. TOO MANY TO LIST. ALMOST ALL COMPONENT ARE INVOLVED AT SOME POINT. COULD NHTSA DO ANYTHING. THERE SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. OTHER CAR OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTY. I'M SURE THAT EVENTUALLY THE CAUSE OF THEIR CARS STALLING WILL END UP BEING THE DISTRIBUTOR AS WELL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720112
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. THE FIRST WAS FREEDOM DODGE OF LEXINGTON AND THE REPLACED THE ABS MODULAR. THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WITH THE CAR IS THAT WE COULD BE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH OR 5 MPH AND THE CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING. RESULTING NO POWER. FREEDOM COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SO WE TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR DODGE …
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. THE FIRST WAS FREEDOM DODGE OF LEXINGTON AND THE REPLACED THE ABS MODULAR. THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WITH THE CAR IS THAT WE COULD BE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH OR 5 MPH AND THE CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING. RESULTING NO POWER. FREEDOM COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SO WE TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR DODGE AND THE DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO THE COMPUTER AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS HAPPENED. INSTALLED A CO-PILOT AND FOUND THE DIST. CAP SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED, PICKED THE CAR UP AND WITHIN 24 HOURS THE CAR STALLED 5 TIMES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW 9 TIMES, GOING ON 10. I NEED TO KNOW THE NEXT STEPS TO TAKE. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE. I COULD KILL SOMEONE, OR BE KILLED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719037
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Electrical System
WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO START E ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK, AND SHE IS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856091
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake
KEEP BLOWING FUSES TO THE STARTER, CATALYST CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HAD CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION TWICE IN 1998 ,6/98 & 7/98, AND 5/99. WHEN INSPECTED IN 98 TOOK TO MIDAS, WAS TOLD THAT CAR WOULD NEED TO HAVE $800 IN REPAIRS DONE TO THE BRAKE LINE, WAS GIVEN A LONG LIST OF THINGS NEEDED TO BE DON…
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KEEP BLOWING FUSES TO THE STARTER, CATALYST CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HAD CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION TWICE IN 1998 ,6/98 & 7/98, AND 5/99. WHEN INSPECTED IN 98 TOOK TO MIDAS, WAS TOLD THAT CAR WOULD NEED TO HAVE $800 IN REPAIRS DONE TO THE BRAKE LINE, WAS GIVEN A LONG LIST OF THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE, TOLD DEALER, THEY FIXED ONE PROBLEM REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS LEAKED WHICH MADE REAR BRAKES GO BAD, DEALER HAD ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER IN PA TO INSPECT WAS CHARGED $60 TO REPLACE WINSHIELD WIPERS AND INSPECT, CAR ALREADY HAD NEW WIPERS COULD NOT PASS WITHOUT THEM. WINSHIELD WASHER DOES NOT WORK DID NOT KNOW WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TOLD DEALER, DEALER SAID THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO FIX ONLY, HAD CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. WHEN STOPPED CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF, HAD TUNE UP BY DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM, STILL KEEPS CUTTING OFF. DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT GETS STUCK BETWEEN WHERE THE FLOOR AND STEERING COLUMN MEETS, HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF IN TRAFFIC TO RELEASE MAT. NEEDED POWER STEERING PUMP AT 58,000 MILES WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. TAPE DECK MAKES IRRITATING NOISE AND KEEPS EATING TAPES. NEED TO KNOW CAN CAR BE A POSSIBLE LEMON? HAD CAR ONLY 18 MONTHS CAR HAS HAD THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN AUTO WORK, BROUGHT CAR AT 37,326 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #715208
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Electrical System
A CLUSTER OF WIRES UNDER THE HOOD, BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE ENGINE, HAVE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE AS WELL AS FAILURE TO ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS. ALSO CAR COULD NOT BE HOOKED UP TO DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER.LUCKY FOR THEM I WAS ONLY BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #715033
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 1999
Electrical System
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #547789
Mileage unknown · May 16, 1999
Electrical System
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #706540
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train
WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SATISFACTION. WHEN WE FINALLY REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE WARRANTEE WAS OVER. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A CAR FROM SATURN AGAIN, NEW OR USED.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE LOADING REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT ANCHOR CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SEAT BELT PROTECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SEAT BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR FLOOR ATTACHMENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING. IF THE ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ORIENTED, THE ORIENTATION WILL BE CORRECTED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
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
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.
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.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.
PE97009 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 29, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
THE MANUFACTURER IDENTIFED VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINT FAILURES AS TABULATED ABOVE.IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 72 WARRANTY REPORTS WERE IDENTIFIED FOR REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN OR CRACKED BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CHRYSLER ALSO REPORTED THAT 1996 AND 1997 MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AS THE SUBJECT 1995 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.A PARTIAL RESPONSE TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S ANALYSES AND EVALUATIONS OF THE CONDITION WERE CONTINUING.IN ORDER TO CONTINUE NHTSA'S COMPLETE ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THIS MATTER, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
1995 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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