NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
49 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
SteeringFire
1999 DODGE STRATUS CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE RECALL WAS DONE. **CC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER DID NOT INDICATE THE RECALL NUMBER OR RECALLED COMPONENT. THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS RECALLED ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, DUE TO A LEAK WHICH COULD RE…
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1999 DODGE STRATUS CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE RECALL WAS DONE. **CC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER DID NOT INDICATE THE RECALL NUMBER OR RECALLED COMPONENT. THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS RECALLED ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, DUE TO A LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182679
12,000 miles · Jan 23, 2007
Steering
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER DIDN'THAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND AFTER CALLING ANOTHER DEALER, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE AUGUST 2006. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10179513
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2007
SteeringFire
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE; WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A REPAIR SHOP THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE AND FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING N…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE; WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A REPAIR SHOP THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE AND FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, NUMBER 06V001000) REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, AND BELIEVES THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE CURRENT MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178831
100,000 miles · Jan 16, 2007
SteeringFire
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1999 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW MANY DETAILS REGARDING THE FIRE. HE LEARNED ABOUT THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED IN AUGUST. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE ONLY DETAI…
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1999 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW MANY DETAILS REGARDING THE FIRE. HE LEARNED ABOUT THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED IN AUGUST. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE ONLY DETAILS THE CONTACT KNOWS IS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, WHEN THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER E23 & C45 AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178824
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2007
SteeringFire
REGARDING RECALL NOTICE ON A 1999 DODGE STRATUS HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE**CC THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178537
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2007
SteeringFire
ON DECEMBER 30, 2006 AT 6:10 A.M. (PST) OUR VEHICLE (1999 DODGE STRATUS, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED SIGNIFICANTLY. MY WIFE LEFT HOME FOR WORK AROUND 5:18 A.M. AND ARRIVED AROUND 6:00 A.M. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS A CO-WORKER CAME IN AND SAID THERE WAS A VEHICLE ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER DESCRIBING THE VEHICLE AND ITS LOCATION M…
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ON DECEMBER 30, 2006 AT 6:10 A.M. (PST) OUR VEHICLE (1999 DODGE STRATUS, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED SIGNIFICANTLY. MY WIFE LEFT HOME FOR WORK AROUND 5:18 A.M. AND ARRIVED AROUND 6:00 A.M. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS A CO-WORKER CAME IN AND SAID THERE WAS A VEHICLE ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER DESCRIBING THE VEHICLE AND ITS LOCATION MY WIFE REALIZED THAT IT WAS HER VEHICLE HER CO-WORKER WAS TALKING ABOUT. SHE WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO FIND THE SANTA BARBARA FIRE DEPARTMENT ON SCENE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE. SHE NOTIFIED ME OF THE EVENTS AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HER JOB. UPON MY ARRIVAL I SPOKE WITH THE FIRE CAPTAIN (NAME UNKNOWN) AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IT TOOK THEM CLOSE TO 40 MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE FIRST USING WATER, THEN UTILIZING FOAM. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE PROVIDER, INTERINSURANCE EXCHANGE OF THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB, AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THIS INDIVIDUAL REPORTS THE VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE PROVIDER TO FILE A CLAIM I WAS ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE AND I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE WERE NONE. HOWEVER, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2007 WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (E23 - HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE) WHICH READS "THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY CRACK AND DEVELOP A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE." I HAVE CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER (888-327-4236) AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE INFORMING THEM OF THIS INCIDENT AND OUR RECEIPT OF THEIR SAFETY RECALL NOTICE AND THEM TO RETURN MY CALL. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE PROVIDER OF THIS SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE FURTHER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178064
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2007
Steering
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIRS AND WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR. UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177937
145,000 miles · Jan 3, 2007
SteeringFire
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE 1999 DODGE STRATUS WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HER VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS FINE, AND THE CAR WAS IMMOBILE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BROKE IN…
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE 1999 DODGE STRATUS WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HER VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS FINE, AND THE CAR WAS IMMOBILE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BROKE INTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO FIND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 06V001000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS PICTURES ,AND COULD GET A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN OFFERED NO RESOLUTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10177693
154,000 miles · Nov 13, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06E…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06E088000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V244000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALTHOUGH THE STEERING NOISE PERSISTED, THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V001000, REGARDING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10173333
188,699 miles · Nov 2, 2006
SteeringFire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER # 06V001000 REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WERE IT WAS LATER EXAMINED BY AN INSPECTOR SENT BY…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER # 06V001000 REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WERE IT WAS LATER EXAMINED BY AN INSPECTOR SENT BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. UPON EXAMINATION THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY A DIRECT RESULT OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE THAT ALLOWED STEERING FLUID 2 BE SPRAYED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172490
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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