NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
251 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 22, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHEN IT RAINS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS AND THE WINDOWS DID NOT WORK AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT CHRYSLER SH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHEN IT RAINS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS AND THE WINDOWS DID NOT WORK AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10277924
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2009
Electrical System
INTERIOR FAN SWITCH FAILURE RE: DODGE STATUS 1999 THE FAN SPEED SWITCH IN THE DASH HAS LOST SPEEDS 1,2 AND 3. ONLY POSITION 4 (OR HIGH) WORKS. AFTER A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT SERVICE, IT FAILED AGAIN AROUND A YEAR LATER. AGAIN, IT ONLY BLOWS ON HIGH SPEED. UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN MY ELDER DAD CALLED TO TELL ME HE NE…
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INTERIOR FAN SWITCH FAILURE RE: DODGE STATUS 1999 THE FAN SPEED SWITCH IN THE DASH HAS LOST SPEEDS 1,2 AND 3. ONLY POSITION 4 (OR HIGH) WORKS. AFTER A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT SERVICE, IT FAILED AGAIN AROUND A YEAR LATER. AGAIN, IT ONLY BLOWS ON HIGH SPEED. UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN MY ELDER DAD CALLED TO TELL ME HE NEED TO HAVE HIS SWITCH FIXED ON HIS DODGE CARAVAN 2003, I BEGAN TO WONDER HOW WIDE SPREAD THE ISSUE WAS. I BEGAN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET TO FIND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS OF VARIOUS CHRYSLER MODELS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH, RESISTOR, OR SENSOR. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE ISSUE AND CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR REPAIR ALREADY PERFORMED. HERE ARE A FEW RELATED PROBLEMS & COMPLAINTS FROM VEHICLE OWNERS. HTTP://AUTOREPAIR.ABOUT.COM/LIBRARY/FAQS/BL547F.HTM HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-DURANGO/TMLIMGPD8AAKSOKNS HTTP://WWW.MYHONESTMECHANIC.COM/ARTICLES/DODGE-DAKOTA-AIR-CONDITIONER.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/INTREPID/1999/AC_HEATER/BLOWER_FAN_SWITCH_STOPPED_WORKING.SHTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0DAC8B/132 HTTP://FREE-AUTO-REPAIR-ADVICE.BLOGSPOT.COM/2008/06/BLOWER-MOTOR-STAYS-ON-HIGHCARAVAN.HTML HTTP://WWW.DODGEDAKOTAS.COM/BOARDS/DEA/62-3.HTML HTTP://WWW.JEEPFORUM.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=6453105 THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND SPEEDY RESOLUTION. *TR B. WILLIAMS
NHTSA ODI #10260439
90,000 miles · Feb 5, 2009
SteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT, BUT IT WENT UNACKNOWLEDGED. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT, BUT IT WENT UNACKNOWLEDGED. THEREFORE, THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10257606
95,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
SteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES LATER, WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALL THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE EN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES LATER, WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALL THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. BOTH A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A RECALL AND WOULD FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT LATER ENTERED HER VIN INTO THE DODGE WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10255313
140,000 miles · Dec 10, 2008
SteeringFire
FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL WEEKS AFTER INCIDENT. WAS FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED. SOLD CAR TO TOW COMPANY FOR 150.00 ON OCTOBER 9. REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO TRY GET MONEY WE PAID FOR CAR. BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE CAR TO DO INSPECTION. WE HAVE SEVERAL PIC…
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FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL WEEKS AFTER INCIDENT. WAS FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED. SOLD CAR TO TOW COMPANY FOR 150.00 ON OCTOBER 9. REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO TRY GET MONEY WE PAID FOR CAR. BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE CAR TO DO INSPECTION. WE HAVE SEVERAL PICS OF CAR AFTER IT BURNED. RECALL STATE THAT THE DEFECT IN POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING ON MOTOR AND IGNITING CAUSING AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251395
115,000 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE UNDERHOOD FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIREFIGHTER STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE UNDERHOOD FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIREFIGHTER STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ISSUED A RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10244000
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Steering
STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242239
100,000 miles · Aug 4, 2008
SteeringFire
CAR HAS NOT BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR OVER A YEAR AND 1/2 NON-OP. REALIZED POWER STEERING FAILED. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. REALIZED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THERE THEY NOTICED THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGED. NOW CHRYSLER IS SAYING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DAMAGE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT R…
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CAR HAS NOT BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR OVER A YEAR AND 1/2 NON-OP. REALIZED POWER STEERING FAILED. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. REALIZED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THERE THEY NOTICED THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGED. NOW CHRYSLER IS SAYING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DAMAGE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REPLACED SOONER. AS I STATED THEY CAR HAS NOT RUN FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE HOSE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM CHRYSLER. WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DAMAGE BUT YOU SHOULD STILL REPLACE HOSE. IT WAS A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236909
54,000 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 200835803237. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HER INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND FORWARD THEM THE REPO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 200835803237. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HER INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND FORWARD THEM THE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10235102
119,266 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,266.
NHTSA ODI #10231174
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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