NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsClear category filter88,000 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I PULLED OVER, THE COOLANT WAS POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT FAILED THE "BLOCK TEST" MEANING THAT IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THIS IS A KNOWN …
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I PULLED OVER, THE COOLANT WAS POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT FAILED THE "BLOCK TEST" MEANING THAT IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS PRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURE NEEDS TO COVER THE PARTS AND LABOR OF THIS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER, DAYTON ANDREWS DODGE, THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EARLIER RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216618
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
1995 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10148650
181,075 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
REQUEST FOR REFUND FOR ALL REPAIRS MADE TO TRANSMISSION THAT WAS IN THE RECALL .*MR THE CONSUMER'S TRANSMISSION FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE MOUNT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10083763
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE DYING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. *LA THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIME WHILE DRIVING UNDER NO CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE SHOP FOR SEVEN WEE…
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VEHICLE DYING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. *LA THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIME WHILE DRIVING UNDER NO CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE SHOP FOR SEVEN WEEKS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10051716
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE HAD OUR 1995 DODGE STRATUS AT SERRAMONTE AUTO PLAZA'S DODGE SERVICE FOR OVER 7 WEEKS NOW. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR DYING OUT. IT DIES AT ANY TIME AND UNDER NO SPECIFIC CONDITION. WHEN IT DIES, AS IF ALL POWER FAILS, WHICH IT DOES EVENTUALLY, AND IS OUT OF GAS. THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 2 SERVICE PROVIDES AND NOW A…
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WE HAVE HAD OUR 1995 DODGE STRATUS AT SERRAMONTE AUTO PLAZA'S DODGE SERVICE FOR OVER 7 WEEKS NOW. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR DYING OUT. IT DIES AT ANY TIME AND UNDER NO SPECIFIC CONDITION. WHEN IT DIES, AS IF ALL POWER FAILS, WHICH IT DOES EVENTUALLY, AND IS OUT OF GAS. THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 2 SERVICE PROVIDES AND NOW A THIRD TO FIGURE THIS PROBLEM OUT. MY REAL ISSUE IS WITH THE CERTIFIED EXPERT DEALER SERVICE WHO 1) REPLACED AN ERG VALVE - IT DID NOT FIX THE DYING OUT PROBLEM, THEN AFTER MORE THAN 15 SERVICE HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER $750 MORE AND THAT DID NOT FIX NOR WAS THE PROBLEM. PRIOR TO GOING TO THE DODGE DEALER, I HAD THE CAR AT VISITATION AUTO SERVICE IN SF WHO INFORMED US THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT $1000 TO REPLACE INCLUDING PARTS (NEVER SAW THE OLD UNIT- WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD TO GO TO THE MANUFACTURER), NOR ARE WE SURE THAT ANY OF THESE REPAIRS AND PARTS WERE JUSTIFIED - NEEDED, BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL, THE CAR STILL DIES WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, AND IT DIES ON THE FREEWAY, DRIVE WAY, CITY STREET, AND WILL ONLY START AGAIN AFTER A REST PERIOD OF SAY 15 MINUTES. AND THEN YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL KILL AGAIN. BEING THAT THE STRATUS HAS POWER WINDOWS, CASSETTE, 51,000 MILES, AND IS VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO ACCIDENTS AND EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORD THE CAR'S VALUE IS $3500-$4000 BUT BECAUSE THE DEALER KNOWS OF THE ISSUE OF DYING OUT AND THEIR OWN REPAIR SHOP CAN NOT FIX IT, INFORMED US OF IT BEING WORTH $1000 - $1500, THIS IS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT WE INVESTED TO REPAIR IT, AND THEY WILL NOT OFFER US ANOTHER THATS EQUAL IN MILEAGE, CONDITION AND VALUE. SO ARE WE AT A MAJOR LOSS BECAUSE DODGE CAN NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLE? *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043276
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL AND SMOKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025038
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10023997
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB PRIOR TO FIRE, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND USED A LOT GAS. DIRTY FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED AND 4 INJECTORS THAT WERE PLUGGED. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF RECALL 96V00600 RELATING TO THIS CONDITION. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10015839
137,000 miles · Jan 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR LEAKS OIL BADLY, I SEE ITS HAD BEEN A OIL RECALL UNDER/ THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLERY PLUG/ IT SMOKES THE HOOD, LEAKS WATER OUT OF TAIL PIPE: 1995 DODGE STRATUS RECALL#96V00600/ THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THERE ISN'T ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. IF THIS PROBLEM PERSIST ITS GOING TO START A FIRE,,,,,,,,,,,ITS A …
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THE CAR LEAKS OIL BADLY, I SEE ITS HAD BEEN A OIL RECALL UNDER/ THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLERY PLUG/ IT SMOKES THE HOOD, LEAKS WATER OUT OF TAIL PIPE: 1995 DODGE STRATUS RECALL#96V00600/ THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THERE ISN'T ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. IF THIS PROBLEM PERSIST ITS GOING TO START A FIRE,,,,,,,,,,,ITS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY EYE AND MANY OTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOPS,,,,
NHTSA ODI #10003021
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS THE SECOND HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. DT
NHTSA ODI #769999
Official recalls
7Jan 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.
Aug 6, 1998
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.
Mar 20, 1998
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.
Nov 13, 1997
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.
May 3, 1996
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.
May 2, 1996
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
Jan 11, 1996
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
5EA03011 · 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.
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