IllustrationMY DAUGHTERS DRIVE A 2000 MODEL DODGE STRATUS. ON ONE WE HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER RESISTOR SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN ON LOW SPEEDS THREE TIMES. ON THE OTHER ONE WE HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE. *JB
2000 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Stratus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 168.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Stratus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1025–50K
2250–75K
2675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
116 reports with mileage · 100 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports64 fire reports11 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
30 reportsAC BLOWER MOTOR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH. REPLACED THE RESISTOR 4 TIMES. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT AT THE DEALERS THEY SAID MOST LIKELY THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS BAD. REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 DODGE STRATUS GOT STUCK IN MUD. CONTACTB WENT TO GET HELP WHEN SHE RETURNED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. SHE HAD NOT HAD ANY RECENT REPAIRS. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WENT TO SCHOOL AND RETURNED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE A COUPLE HOURS LATER. THE RADIO DID NOT TURN ON AND WHITE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WENT TO SCHOOL AND RETURNED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE A COUPLE HOURS LATER. THE RADIO DID NOT TURN ON AND WHITE SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE POWER MIRROR CONTROLS. A 6 INCH FLAME ERUPTED 2-3 MINS LATER. THE CONTACT POURED WATER ON THE FLAME NEAR THE POWER MIRROR CONTROLS, WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, AND REFUSED TO TAKE A SAFETY COMPLAINT.
WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE, LIGHTS FAIL AND BLOWS THE FUSE. AM USING APPROPRIATE FUSE CALLED FOR IN OWNERS MANUAL. ALSO, NOTICED TRUNK LIGHT BULB WAS BURNT AND MELTED, WHEN I PURCHASED IT. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR, SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *NM
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR,NOTICED WHITE SMOKE I PULL OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS ARE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE POWER STEERING CAP(WHILE LOOKING AT ENGINE WITH THE HOOD UP). SMOKE SUBSIDED CONTINUED TO DRIVE NOTICED SMOKE 2 OTHER OCASSIONS THE SAME DAY SAME AREA OF ENG…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR,NOTICED WHITE SMOKE I PULL OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS ARE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE POWER STEERING CAP(WHILE LOOKING AT ENGINE WITH THE HOOD UP). SMOKE SUBSIDED CONTINUED TO DRIVE NOTICED SMOKE 2 OTHER OCASSIONS THE SAME DAY SAME AREA OF ENGINE, PULLED CAR INTO DRIVEWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES PASSED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS WAS IN FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *NM
MY DODGE STRATUS 2000, 65,071 MILEAGE, CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD "MELTED." THE FIRE DID NOT REACH THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SPEEDY AT PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. OF DRIVING. AND A BURNING SMELL…
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MY DODGE STRATUS 2000, 65,071 MILEAGE, CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD "MELTED." THE FIRE DID NOT REACH THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SPEEDY AT PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. OF DRIVING. AND A BURNING SMELL WHICH I THOUGHT WAS ENGINE OIL. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SPARK PLUGS AND BELTS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND, AS I TOLD MY HUSBAND, I THOUGHT THERE WAS LIKE SOOTY ASHES BEING DEPOSITED ON TOP OF THE HOOD. I ASSUMED IT WAS BURNING OFF THE OLD OIL THAT HAD SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO DAYS OF DRIVING I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER IN THE MORNING WHEN I CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL AND STILL SMOKING. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY. I WENT HOME THAT EVENING, PICKED UP ONE CHILD FROM DAY CARE AND THEN WE BOTH WENT TO PICK UP ANOTHER CHILD FROM HER AFTER-SCHOOL PLACE. WE WALKED OUT ABOUT 12 MINUTES LATER AND HALF THE STREET WAS ENGULFED IN THICK SMOKE. I COULD SEE FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE RAN BACK IN AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. MY INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS MELTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY TOTALED THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID LEAKING OIL DOES NOT CAUSE FIRES. THEY BELIEVED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED AT A NORMAL LEVEL THE SMOKE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. ONCE PULLED OVER THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CLOSED THE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED AT A NORMAL LEVEL THE SMOKE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. ONCE PULLED OVER THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CLOSED THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, BUT THE CLOSED HOOD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN, BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY A SOURCE OF IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. OVER A YEAR LATER, UNDER THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAM OF THE HOOD AND FENDER. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A REPORT WAS FILED, BUT AGAIN THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE STARTED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AT A NORMAL SPEED, AND DISTRIBUTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
FIRE UNDER HOOD IN 2000 DODGE STRATUS. *NM
AFTER HAVING USED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS, I STATIONED IT IN MY HOUSE AND AS TO THE TO 30 MINUTES I SMELLED CABLE BURNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR WAS THROWING AWAY SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY A FIRE ERUPTED, I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN ATTENDED THE FIRE. WITH CHRYSLER OF PUERTO RICO AND I NOTIFY TH…
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AFTER HAVING USED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS, I STATIONED IT IN MY HOUSE AND AS TO THE TO 30 MINUTES I SMELLED CABLE BURNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR WAS THROWING AWAY SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY A FIRE ERUPTED, I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN ATTENDED THE FIRE. WITH CHRYSLER OF PUERTO RICO AND I NOTIFY THEM OF WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY ONLY TELL ME THAT ARE NOT HEADS, AT PRESENT I AM WORKING THAT CASE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *JB
Official recalls
506V001000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Jan 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
00V196000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE WELD BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLOCK AND THE STAND-OFF BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE STAND-OFF BRACKET FROM THE BLOCK COULD CAUSE FATIGUE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND RESULT IN A HALF SYSTEM BRAKE LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BRAKE LINE BRACKET TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE.
00V066000 · Equipment:other:labels
Mar 2, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT CHILD LOCK INSTRUCTION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INCORRECT LABELS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS.
00V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Mar 2, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH UNPAINTED FUEL TANK STRAPS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PAINT PROVIDES CORROSION PROTECTION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE STRAPS DO NOT LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA05019 · 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.
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.