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 reports
168,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE PASSENGER FRONT, BY THE HEADLIGHT AND HOOD, ACTUALLY HIT THE DEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 24, 2005. A POLICE REPORT…
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DT: 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE PASSENGER FRONT, BY THE HEADLIGHT AND HOOD, ACTUALLY HIT THE DEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 24, 2005. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132601
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS AGO. SHE FORGFOT ABOUT IT AND FOUND IT ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. SHE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. TTHEY WERE NOT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. SHE TALKED TO DEALER ON 7-5-05 AND THEY STILL HAD NOT FIXED IT. SHE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MANUFAC…
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DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS AGO. SHE FORGFOT ABOUT IT AND FOUND IT ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. SHE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. TTHEY WERE NOT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. SHE TALKED TO DEALER ON 7-5-05 AND THEY STILL HAD NOT FIXED IT. SHE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132199
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2005
Power Train
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS HAVING THE RECALL FOR THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK CHECKED OUT ON HER 1996 DODGE STRATUS.*MR THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THEY DID NOT MAKE APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL CHECKS. WHEN THE CONSUMER JUST SHOWED UP AT THE DEALER THEY WERE ALWAYS TOO BUSY TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130175
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2005
Electrical System
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V021000 CONCERNING FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115259
58,000 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET LEAKING AT 58,000 MILES. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN OVER 100 POSTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHER THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112369
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ON 12/18/1997 I PURCHASED A 1996 DODGE STRATUS AT A BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I WAS BACKING OUT OF A SLOPED DRIVEWAY. I FELT A BUMP AND KEPT DRIVING. BEFORE I COULD REACH THE END OF THE STREET MY OIL LAMP CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION CHECK THE OIL AND DISCO…
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ON 12/18/1997 I PURCHASED A 1996 DODGE STRATUS AT A BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I WAS BACKING OUT OF A SLOPED DRIVEWAY. I FELT A BUMP AND KEPT DRIVING. BEFORE I COULD REACH THE END OF THE STREET MY OIL LAMP CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION CHECK THE OIL AND DISCOVERED I NEEDED OIL. I PUT OIL IN THE CAR AND GOT ON THE INTERSTATE. MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED PULLING. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE OIL PAN HAD A HOLE IN IT AND MOST LIKELY GOT IT DURING THE BUMP. I HAD TO GET A NEW MOTOR FOR THE CAR WHICH A $500 DEDUCTIBLE HAD TO BE PAID BY ME AND THE OTHER $3600 WAS PAID BY ALLSTATE(MY INSURANCE COMPANY). LAST YEAR IN LATE APRIL THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED SINCE OR OF COURSE DRIVEN. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND SOMEONE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108333
37,840 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 96V006000. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE DONE A…
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WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 96V006000. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE DONE AND THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10103659
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE TENDED TO SHUTDOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF BRAKES AND STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10105594
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2004
Power Train
RECALL 04V021000 CONCERNING FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION INTERLOCK. CONSUMER WAS WAITING OVER 60 DAYS FOR PARTS THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099551
115,000 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER INDICATED THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE, AND HAS THIS PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVWAY WHEN THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAME UNLATCHED AND OPENED. VEHICLE DOORS USUALLY UNLATCH WHEN IT GETS VERY COLD OUTSIDE. …
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DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER INDICATED THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE, AND HAS THIS PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVWAY WHEN THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAME UNLATCHED AND OPENED. VEHICLE DOORS USUALLY UNLATCH WHEN IT GETS VERY COLD OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE DOORS SOMETIMES DONT LATCH AT ALL AND DOOR JUST OPEN UP ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND ALL THEY FOUND WAS A LITTLE CORROSION. *TC
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 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.
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.
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
3
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.
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.
1996 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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