IllustrationWHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, NOTICE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. TIE ROD BROKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THERE WAS NO GREASE FITTING ON THE PART, THE STUD WAS MISSING, RUBBER BOOT DESTORYED AFTER STUD FELL OUT, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
1996 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Stratus years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Stratus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 168.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Stratus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 554 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 335 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports36 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
554 reportsWHILE DRIVING HEAD GASKET LEAKS AND THE OIL RUNS INTO RADIATOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE LEAKS 1QT/DAY AT START NOW IT HAS INCREASED TO 3QT/DAY AND OIL IS NOW LEAKING INTO RADIATOR. *AK
DURING THE END OF SUMMER MY CAR ENGINE REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS (USUALLY @20 - 40MPH). I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE MY CAR REPEATEDLY SHUTS OFF WHEN I TURN CORNERS OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 30 OR LESS IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME M…
Read full complaint
DURING THE END OF SUMMER MY CAR ENGINE REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS (USUALLY @20 - 40MPH). I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE MY CAR REPEATEDLY SHUTS OFF WHEN I TURN CORNERS OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 30 OR LESS IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME MOST OF THE TIME AND WE HAVE FACED MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS! ONCE THE CAR'S RPM SHUTS DOWN THE CAR SHUTS OFF NO MATTER WHERE I AM. WHEN I DRIVE 50MPH OR MORE MY CAR JERKS. MY CAR ALSO ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVE 40MPH OR LESS ON ITS OWN IN SEVERAL INSTANCES I ALMOST HIT CARS IN FRONT OF ME DURING RED LIGHTS. MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WAS ON AND THAT IT WOULD COST $70.00 AN HOUR FOR A COMPUTERIZED CHECKUP WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD. ANOTHER TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE ENGINE SHUTOFF PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND ASSUMED THE THROTTLE BOTTLE WAS THE CAUSE. WESTMINISTER DODGE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BOTTLE AND MY CAR STILL CONTINUES TO SHUTOFF SINCE SUMMER OF 2001. MY AIR BRAKE FAILED ME IN 9/2001, I ENDED UP UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR FROM KNOCKING OFF A WHEEL COVER OF A MITSUBISHI 4 DOOR. MY CAR SHUTOFF WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR TO AVOID HITTING THE MITSUBISHI AND MY FRONT END OF MY CAR (LICENSE PLATE NOSE) TOOK OFF HER WHEELCOVER IN WHICH I OFFERED TO REPLACE FOR $40.00. I AM VERY AFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT SINCE THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. MY NEWEST PROBLEM AS OF 1/14/2002 IS MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMM. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE FULL CONTROL OF MY CAR IT KIND OF RIDES ALL OVER THE RODE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL BE BEFORE I GET IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF UNFIXABLE CAR FAILURE! I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR OR TRADE IN.
I OWN TWO DODGE STRATUS. ONE TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP DAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION LINES TO THE RADIATOR HAD LOOSENED UP. THE CAR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. NOW MY OTHER STRATUS HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION LEAK. SAME PROBLEM!! I HAVE TO BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTER DEFECT!!*AK
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 9 TIMES. SEVERAL OF THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN REPEAT REPAIRS. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS ON 10/18/1999. IT TOOK THEM UNTIL 08/28/2001 TO REPAIR IT. THEN WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK ON 10/22/2001 BECAUSE A SEAL WAS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. AT …
Read full complaint
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 9 TIMES. SEVERAL OF THESE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN REPEAT REPAIRS. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS ON 10/18/1999. IT TOOK THEM UNTIL 08/28/2001 TO REPAIR IT. THEN WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK ON 10/22/2001 BECAUSE A SEAL WAS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. AT THAT TIME I HAD THEM LISTEN TO THE CAR, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE IT STARTED WITH IN 10/1999. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING, WHICH IS WHAT THEY TOLD US UP UNTIL 08/28/2001. NOW THIS CAR IS GETTING READY TO GO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION. IN THE 3 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR IT HAS HAD $5201.48 WORHT OF REPAIRS DONE TO IT. IN ADDITION TO THE DEFECTIVE PARTS I HAVE LISTED, IT ALSO HAD AN IGNITION COIL, INJECTORS, BALL JOINTS, AND TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS WE DONE BY MIDDLETOWN DODGE, RT 17M, MIDDLETOWN, NY, EXCEPT THE FIRST REPAIR. THAT WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. FORTUNATELY WE HAVE A GREAT EXTENDED WARANTY. OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS OURSELVES. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR WILL CONTINUE TO BREAKDOWN AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO KEEP IT OR SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED.*AK
FAILURE COMPARABLE TO RECALL DATED 1/22/96, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #96V006000. PER DAIMLER CHRYSLER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS RECALL AS IT IS SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AS VEHICLES UNDER THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK
THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RECALL 96 V 006 000 ON ENGINE DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT DEALT WITH SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON GROUND. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING. GALLEY PLUG FAILED TO SEAL PROPERLY. HAD ENGINE HEAD GALLEY PLUG REPAIRED.*AK
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *AK
Official recalls
704V021000 · 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.
98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
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.
97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
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.
97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
Jun 6, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
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.
96V074000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
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.
96V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
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
3EA03011 · 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.
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.