NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Nov 2, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FAINT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED A FAINT PUFF OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT THINK IT WAS A S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FAINT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED A FAINT PUFF OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT THINK IT WAS A SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE THE SMOKE WAS SO FAINT. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND HUGE PUFFS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT STATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNINSURED AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING HER PAYMENTS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10207716
140,000 miles · Jul 20, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM BAD WIRING WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE STATED T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM BAD WIRING WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IGNITION SOURCE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONTACT IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE MECHANIC. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE AND HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED TWICE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10197021
166,330 miles · Aug 21, 2006
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS IN MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS ALL OF MAYBE 15 MINUTES TRAVELING TO THE STORE. I TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN THE STORE FOR MAYBE 5 MINUTES. I STARTED MY CAR AGAIN AND TRAVELED TO A FRIENDS HOUSE MAYBE 10 MINUTES FROM THE STORE. I WAS IN THEIR HOME PROBABLY 10 MINUTES TOPS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM U…
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I WAS IN MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS ALL OF MAYBE 15 MINUTES TRAVELING TO THE STORE. I TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN THE STORE FOR MAYBE 5 MINUTES. I STARTED MY CAR AGAIN AND TRAVELED TO A FRIENDS HOUSE MAYBE 10 MINUTES FROM THE STORE. I WAS IN THEIR HOME PROBABLY 10 MINUTES TOPS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF MY CAR. WE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ARRIVED MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO I JUST LOST MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALED. THEN IN APRIL OF 2006 I GET A RECALL (E23) FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND I AM TOTALLY AMAZED. THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I NOTIFIED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THE SENT SOMEONE OUT TO TAKE PICTURES OF MY CAR AND THEN SENT ME A LETTER DENYING MY CLAIM. THE SAME COMPLAINTS WHICH ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE AND CAUSED THIS RECALL TO BE MADE, ARE THOSE WITH ALMOST EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES AS MYSELF. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW? THE GENTLEMAN AT CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION GROUP FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER STRESSED TO ME TO HIRE AND ATTORNEY. SO THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE DOING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10166143
91,000 miles · Apr 11, 2006
Electrical SystemFire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED LESS THAN 10 MINUTES IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMAL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10155067
60,000 miles · Nov 29, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
ON THANKSGIVING DAY OF 2005 I PICKED UP MY 74 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER, WHO IS BLIND TO GO SEE MY MOM, WHO LIVES ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM ME. AS WE WERE APPROACHING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM MY 1999 DODGE CHRYSLER STRATUS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. SMOKE…
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ON THANKSGIVING DAY OF 2005 I PICKED UP MY 74 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER, WHO IS BLIND TO GO SEE MY MOM, WHO LIVES ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM ME. AS WE WERE APPROACHING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM MY 1999 DODGE CHRYSLER STRATUS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOPPED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. I FROZE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND REALIZED WE HAD TO GET OUT FROM OUT OF THE CAR. I WENT AROUND TO GET MY GRANDMOTHER OUT AND THE LOCKS WENT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. I OPENED HER DOOR AND TOLD HER TO GET OUT, HOLD ON TO ME AND RUN AS FAST AS SHE COULD. SHE ASKED ME WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I TOLD HER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND COULD BLOW UP. WE STARTED RUNNING AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. PEOPLE CAME OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND TWO MEN TRIED TO PUT DOWN THE FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER A WHILE, THE FIRE DEPT AND POLICE ARRIVED. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR'S FRONT WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR TOLD ME HE HAD HEARD OF SIMILAR STORIES WITH THIS CAR. I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP IN PUERTO RICO AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER COMES DOWN TO PUERTO RICO AND INSPECTS THE CAR TO SEE IF THEY ARE LIABLE OR NOT. MEANWHILE, I HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR TO WHEREVER IT IS THEY WILL INSPECT IT AND ALSO, THE LADY WHO TOOK MY COMPLAINT AT CHRYSLER SAID IF THEY FIND THERE WAS A DEFECT, I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT CHRYSLER DECIDES TO DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE NO CAR, MY NERVES ARE SHOT AND MY GRANDMOTHER IS A NERVOUS WRECK. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING WAITING FOR CHRYSLER TO CONTACT ME TO SEE WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO INSPECT MY CAR. PLEASE HELP!!!!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10143963
79,000 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: ON 8-25-05 THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE PARKED WHEN HIS WIFE CAME OUT OF THE STORE TO FIND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER AREA, BUT BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE HE …
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DT: ON 8-25-05 THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE PARKED WHEN HIS WIFE CAME OUT OF THE STORE TO FIND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER AREA, BUT BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE HE COULD NOT BE SURE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10134317
89,000 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: AFTER THE CONSUMER DROVE FOR AWHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE CAME OUTSIDE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPPED AND NO ONE HAD LOOKED AT IT. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE RADIO HAD TURN…
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DT: AFTER THE CONSUMER DROVE FOR AWHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE CAME OUTSIDE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPPED AND NO ONE HAD LOOKED AT IT. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE RADIO HAD TURNED ON WHILE THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10134053
54,000 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
CAR WAS WORKING FINE, TUNED UP IN MAY, KEPT UP ON OIL CHANGES, ETC. MY FIANCE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND NOTICED SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. HE GOT BACK IN AND FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. MOST OF THE FRONT END IS COMPLETELY INCINERATED. THE…
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CAR WAS WORKING FINE, TUNED UP IN MAY, KEPT UP ON OIL CHANGES, ETC. MY FIANCE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND NOTICED SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. HE GOT BACK IN AND FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. MOST OF THE FRONT END IS COMPLETELY INCINERATED. THE RADIATOR AND ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE SWEPT UP. FRONT END COMPLETELY MELTED. IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA ODI #10133846
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 23, 2005. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON AUGUST 10, 2005 ON THE FLOOR SHIFT. SHE SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. HER UNCLE, A FIRE FIGHTER, FOUGHT A FIRE ON JULY 1,…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 23, 2005. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON AUGUST 10, 2005 ON THE FLOOR SHIFT. SHE SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. HER UNCLE, A FIRE FIGHTER, FOUGHT A FIRE ON JULY 1, 2005 ON A VEHICLE WITH SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING ANY DIFFERENTLY BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. BOTH THE CONTACT AND HER HUSBAND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THEY GOT OUT OF THE CAR BUT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT IT. THEN , AFTER THE FIRE WAS NOTICED THEY ANNOUNCED AT THE BOWLING ALLEY THAT SOMEONE'S VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THEY WENT OUTSIDE AND FLAMES WHERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HOT SPOT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132257
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE LAST WEEK. CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. WHEN CONTACT WENT OUT TO VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN BURNT UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIREMAN COULD NOT TELL HOW FIRE STARTED, BUT IT DID START ON THE FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY. THE VEHICLE…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE LAST WEEK. CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. WHEN CONTACT WENT OUT TO VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN BURNT UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIREMAN COULD NOT TELL HOW FIRE STARTED, BUT IT DID START ON THE FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OUTSIDE, TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHILE SHE WAS IN THE STORE, AND THEN CONTACT WAS PAGED TO COME OUT TO CAR. IT BURNED UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10130351
NHTSA investigations
5EA05019 · Power Steering Fluid Fires
Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Jan 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE05036 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 29, 2005 · Closed Nov 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON JUNE 29, 2005, ODI OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE05-036 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE PASSENGER CARS (JA CARS). THE JA CARS WERE INTRODUCED IN MY 1995 AND ENDED WITH MY 2000.THEY WERE PRODUCED WITH 2.0L, 2.4L AND 2.5L ENGINES.THE INCIDENT DATA IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME ARE FOR SUBJECT VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES FOR ALL CAUSES. ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER, EVIDENCE COLLECTED FROM FIELD INSPECTIONS OF FIRE INCIDENT VEHICLES INDICATE THAT FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS USED IN JA CARS WITH BOTH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L ENGINES IN MY 1995 THROUGH 2000.THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE IN THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2000 JA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L ENGINES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES USING THAT ENGINE AND IN ANY OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE 2.0L OR 2.5L ENGINES.DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED PERIODIC UPDATES TO ODI. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-019) HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.
RQ03005 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Jul 16, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL BEFORE THE OPERATORS EXITED THE VEHICLE.MOST OF THE CRASHES WERE MINOR AND INVOLVED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN UNATTENDED CHILDREN MOVED THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN THE OPERATOR WAS STRUCK BY A ROLL-AWAY VEHICLE AFTER PARKING AND EXITING.ALL INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE INTERLOCK PIN THAT RIDES IN THE INTERLOCK LEVER SLOT WITHIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES.
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.
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