NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
251 reports131,000 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NEUTRAL SWITCH FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NEUTRAL SWITCH FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/27/07 FAILED. *BF
NHTSA ODI #10200840
156,000 miles · Jul 30, 2007
SteeringFire
I BOUGHT MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 145,000 MILES. IN MAY 2007, I HAD THE VALVE COVERS AND CAM SENSOR WIRING REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE AND ROTTED WIRING (UNRELATED TO ONE ANOTHER). THE CAR SEEMED TO SLOWLY LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBL…
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I BOUGHT MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 145,000 MILES. IN MAY 2007, I HAD THE VALVE COVERS AND CAM SENSOR WIRING REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE AND ROTTED WIRING (UNRELATED TO ONE ANOTHER). THE CAR SEEMED TO SLOWLY LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. ON 7/29/2007 AFTER A 50 MILE DRIVE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197815
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
69,591 miles · May 8, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON AUGUST 8, 2006, THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON AUGUST 18, 2006, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP THAT HE REMOVED WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND HAD BEEN C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON AUGUST 8, 2006, THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON AUGUST 18, 2006, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP THAT HE REMOVED WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND HAD BEEN CUT. ON OCTOBER 27, 2006, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE REPAIR WAS PAID FOR IN CASH. IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE GAS PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 31, 2007. ON MAY 7, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AFTER MARKET FUEL PUMP (CONTROL NUMBER 110368 FOR RECALL). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 74,500 AND THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,591. UPDATED 09/04/07 *TR UPDATED 09/12/07.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10190186
79,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD , AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MALFUNCTION. THI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD , AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MALFUNCTION. THIS FAILURE PREVENTED HER FROM DETERMINING HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. ALSO, THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN HOT. SHE WILL COLLECT THE WORK REPORTS AND RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE OTHER FAILURES THAT OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188916
119,953 miles · Apr 23, 2007
SteeringFire
1999 DODGE STRATUS. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *MC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE POWER STEERING HOSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10189012
129,424 miles · Apr 9, 2007
Unknown Or Other
1999 DODGE STRATUS IS MAKING AN EXTREMLY LOUD SQUEALING & GRINDING SOUND WHICH IS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE BRAKES, ROTORS & STEERING COLUMN TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT & NOW IS CONTINUALLY MAKING THE …
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1999 DODGE STRATUS IS MAKING AN EXTREMLY LOUD SQUEALING & GRINDING SOUND WHICH IS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE BRAKES, ROTORS & STEERING COLUMN TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT & NOW IS CONTINUALLY MAKING THE LOUD NOISE WHEN GOING STRAIGHT & TURNING RIGHT. IT ALSO MAKES THE NOISE WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED, SLOW OR 55MPH. IT DOES NOT MAKE THE NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. ANY ASSISTANCE AND/OR SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT IT MIGHT BE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR & I NEED IT TO GET TO WORK. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10187334
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2007
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 ,AND BELIEVED IT WAS TO BLAME FOR THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A DITCH AND WAS DESTROYED, CAUSING BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 ,AND BELIEVED IT WAS TO BLAME FOR THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A DITCH AND WAS DESTROYED, CAUSING BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10185559
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2007
SteeringFire
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND FAMILY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE ,THEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 THIS PAST WEEKEND, BUT WAS OUT …
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND FAMILY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE ,THEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 06V001000 THIS PAST WEEKEND, BUT WAS OUT OF TOWN. SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS ON 03/04/07, WHICH WAS AFTER SHE JUST RETURNED HOME FROM HER TRIP TO ATLANTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHICH TOOK ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE DID COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY DRIVER'S CHOICE WILL BE DOING AN INVESTIGATION SOMETIMES ON OR ABOUT 3/8/07. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME AFTER THE FIRE AND CHECKED THE MAIL SHE NOTICED THE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL SUBMIT PICTURES AND BOTH THE INSURANCE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10184503
Mileage 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
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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