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
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER LAST MONTH REGARDING THE LEAKING ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON OUR 1996 DODGE STRATUS WITH 57003 MILES. WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED ABOUT LEAKING HEAD GASKETS. BUT, TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY MAY OR MAY NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WOULD COST $100 OR SO TO JUST CHECK …
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WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER LAST MONTH REGARDING THE LEAKING ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON OUR 1996 DODGE STRATUS WITH 57003 MILES. WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED ABOUT LEAKING HEAD GASKETS. BUT, TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY MAY OR MAY NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WOULD COST $100 OR SO TO JUST CHECK IT OUT. EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. BECAUSE OF OUR FINANICIAL STATUS, WE CHOSE TO APPLY THE $100 TO OUR MECHANIC TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK THE MEHCANIC 3 WEEKS TO GET THE PART BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. IMAGINE THAT, NO PROBLEMS REPORTED AND STILL THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT TOOK 3 DAYS TO FIX. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT HE TALKED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AT THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. HE SAID THEY WERE REPLACING ABOUT 2 A WEEK. ALSO THAT CHRYSLER WAS PAYING FOR EITHER ALL OF IT OR PARTS. I CALLED CHRYSLER BACK AND TRIED TO TALK WITH THEM. I EVEN GOT MORE IRATE THAN I SHOULD HAVE. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT HELP US BECAUSE WE CHOSE NOT TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS LEAKY HEAD GASKET WAS NOT A RECALL. WERE WE REQUIRED TO PAY AN EXTRA $100 JUST SO THEY COULD SAY "YES" IT IS THE HEAD GASKET IN ORDER FOR THEM TO THEN SAY "NO" WE ARE NOT COVERING IT? UNDERSTAND MY POSITION, ALL I WANT REEMBURSED FOR IS THE HEAD GASKET ITSELF WHICH WAS $136.30. BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A RECALL, WHY COULDN'T I TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC? MY MECHANIC CHARGES $24/HR LABOR COMPARED TO THE $54/HR THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES. DOES IT MATTER WHO INSTALLS IT WHEN IT IS NOT A RECALL? ALSO, MY MECHANIC SAID THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS THE SAME IDENTICAL ONE THAT WAS TAKEN OUT. IN CONCLUSION, WHY SHOULD I BE PENALIZED FOR SAVING EXTRA MONEY WHEN IT IS CHRSYLER FAULT FOR THE DEFECTED PART? ALL I ASK FOR IS THE PRICE OF THE HEAD GASKET $136.30. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716376
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE EVERY RECALL, CONSUMER PAID COST OF FAILED ENGINE HEAD GASKET, ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO IMPROPER TIMING BELT INSTALLATION. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 50MPH ON INTERSTATE, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED OFF TO SHOULDER, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO PARK TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AND CAR LOCKED UP. PREGNANT PASSSENGE…
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VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE EVERY RECALL, CONSUMER PAID COST OF FAILED ENGINE HEAD GASKET, ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO IMPROPER TIMING BELT INSTALLATION. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 50MPH ON INTERSTATE, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED OFF TO SHOULDER, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO PARK TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AND CAR LOCKED UP. PREGNANT PASSSENGER SUFFERED WIPLASH ETC. DODGE CONDUCTED INVESTIGATION (# 5804935) STATED THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE. NOTE: INCIDENT OCCURED DAYS BEFORE NOTIFICATION OF SHIFTER RECALL. LETTER SENT BY DODGE STATING THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS, REFUSES TO RELEASE FULL REPORT CLAIMING PROPRIATORY INFO. CONSUMER AGAIN HAD TO PAY FOR FULL COST OF REPAIR, NEW TRANS. $ 1,700. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716375
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE. MJS
NHTSA ODI #549878
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSeats
RIGHT HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHT CONTINUALLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE UNKNOWN. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #549774
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SENDS OUT LIGHT SMOKE DUE TO A LIGHT SMOKE. THIS SMOKE HAS RADIATOR FLUID IN IT, COULD BE DANGEROUS IF INHALED TOO LONG. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER TO LOOK AT ENGINE. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853489
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET ON LOTS OF STRATUS/CIRRUS/BREEZE HAS BEEN LEAKING. I WAS TOLD BY 4 MECHANICS THAT THEY HAVE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I HOPE BY TELING YOU THIS IT WILL MAKE CHRYSLER PAY FOR MY REPAIR AND ALSO OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE YOUR INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND HAPPY WITH THERE MAJOR PU…
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THE HEAD GASKET ON LOTS OF STRATUS/CIRRUS/BREEZE HAS BEEN LEAKING. I WAS TOLD BY 4 MECHANICS THAT THEY HAVE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I HOPE BY TELING YOU THIS IT WILL MAKE CHRYSLER PAY FOR MY REPAIR AND ALSO OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE YOUR INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND HAPPY WITH THERE MAJOR PURCHASES. THE SECOND LARGEST INVESTMENT FOR MOST PEOPLE. THANK YOU .
NHTSA ODI #715375
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
A WATER PUMP FAILURE AT 87,000 MILESOF WEAR; BELEIVED THIS WAS A FAULTY PART AT 87,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853381
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715064
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
PARKED IN GARAGE NOTICED MASSIVE OIL LEAKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THE MATERIAL THE GASKET WAS MADE FROM WARPED AND IT POPPED THE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852909
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1999
Electrical System
ON WEEK OF 10/18/99 CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A TUNE-UP DONE ON VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT DO TUNE-UPS ON VEHICLES WITH AS LOW MILEAGE AS MINE. BUT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER, CHANGE THE OIL, REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND DID A 26 POINT CHECK. THE CHARGE CAME TO $272.55. TH…
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ON WEEK OF 10/18/99 CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A TUNE-UP DONE ON VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT DO TUNE-UPS ON VEHICLES WITH AS LOW MILEAGE AS MINE. BUT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER, CHANGE THE OIL, REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND DID A 26 POINT CHECK. THE CHARGE CAME TO $272.55. THE FOLLOWING WEEK MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE CHUGGING AND ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. SOMETIMES, WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD QUIT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN START BACK UP AGAIN. SO, MY HUSBAND CALLED ROBERSON MOTORS BACK AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. CANDY BULL QUOTED THAT IT COULD COST FROM $200 TO $450 TO REPAIR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM ON 11/9/1999 WITH A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS. THEY CALLED ME BACK AT THE END OF THE DAY TO TELL ME THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY AND THAT THIS MADE THEM MISS THE ALLOTTED TIME FOR MY CAR. THEY WOULD NEED TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. WE LEFT THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY CANDY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN OVER-FUELING. I ASKED WHAT CAUSES THIS? HER STATEMENT WAS THAT IT JUST HAPPENS. AFTER I GOT FRUSTRATED AND TOLD HER THAT I COULD PROBABLY UNDERSTAND IF SHE WOULD EXPLAIN IN DETAIL TO ME BECAUSE I AM FAMILIAR WITH HOW CARS OPERATE, SHE FINALLY EXPLAINED THAT THE TUBES FOR THE SPARK PLUGS WERE TOO LARGE ALLOWING OIL AND FUEL TO MIX UP AROUND THE SPARK PLUGS. SHE STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SOAKED WITH OIL. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHE SAID "NO, IT JUST HAPPENS, WE HAVE NOTICED IT IN THE DODGE CARAVANS BUT NOT IN THE STRATUS'". I TOLD HER THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE A TWO-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT QUITE FREQUENTLY RIDES IN MY CAR. WHAT IF IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE? I ALSO ASKED IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE OR HOW WE WERE DRIVING IT. HER ANSWER WAS "NO". SHE STATED THAT "IT JUST HAPPENS". ON 11/10/99, I WENT TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP AND WAS CHARGED $355. *AK
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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