NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
27 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 21, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXPERIENCE NUMERIOUS INCIDENTS WITH FRONT DISC BRAKES SQUEALING SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO. NORMALLY OCCURS ON FIRST FEW INSTANCES BRAKES ARE APPLIED AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. HAVE HAD IT INSPECTED BY DEALER AND INDEPENDENCE BRAKE SHOP (MIDAS). BOTH DEALER AND MIDAS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. DEALER SUG…
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EXPERIENCE NUMERIOUS INCIDENTS WITH FRONT DISC BRAKES SQUEALING SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO. NORMALLY OCCURS ON FIRST FEW INSTANCES BRAKES ARE APPLIED AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. HAVE HAD IT INSPECTED BY DEALER AND INDEPENDENCE BRAKE SHOP (MIDAS). BOTH DEALER AND MIDAS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. DEALER SUGGESTED TURNING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS BUT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS OVER 5000 MILES. MIDAS INFORMED THAT TURNING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS COULD CORRECT PROBLEM BUT STATED IT WASN'T NECESSARY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THE SITUATION BEING A HAZARD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #767532
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVIE WEAR WITHIN A MONTH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8018739
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4-5 TIMES, FIRST TIME AT 2000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ROTORS WERE WARPING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8008212
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATED STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED, AND BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, DEALER HAS REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS, PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED FOR A SHORT TIME AND REOCCURRED. *AK WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SQUEAL AND GROWL TAKING A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BRAKES ARE DEFE…
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CONSUMER STATED STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED, AND BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, DEALER HAS REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS, PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED FOR A SHORT TIME AND REOCCURRED. *AK WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SQUEAL AND GROWL TAKING A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8002759
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2002
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CONSTANT CRACKING SOUND, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES, STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE ON ALL TURNS AND GRINDING TYPE NOISE, DEALER FOUND REAR INBOARD BRAKE PAD RATTLING, LUBRICATED SLIDERS AND PUT ANTI SQU…
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WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CONSTANT CRACKING SOUND, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES, STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE ON ALL TURNS AND GRINDING TYPE NOISE, DEALER FOUND REAR INBOARD BRAKE PAD RATTLING, LUBRICATED SLIDERS AND PUT ANTI SQUEAL ON INBOARD BRAKE PAD BACKING, CONSUMER WAS ALSO HEARING NOISE OVER BUMPS, DEALER FOUND REAR SWAY BAR MISALIGNED. *YD
NHTSA ODI #8002143
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFireInjury
AFTER BEING IN AN ACCIDENT HEAD ON THERE WAS NOT MUCH DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, SOON AFTER CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER STATED ABS FAILED.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #8001179
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND CHIPPED. ALSO,THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE.ALSO, DEALER REPLACED TIE RODS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #6900630
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
I HAD TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT THE ADDITIONAL INSURANCE AND THE DEALERS AND NO ONE EVER RESPONDED TO ME.. I REPLACED THE BRAKES ALSO BEFORE I HAD THE ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754702
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES MAKE A HORRIBLE SOUND EACH TIME APPLIED, SOMETIMES SEEMS I HAVE NO BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK OUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. THEY SAY , THEY LOOK LIKE NEW AND THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE BAD SOUND BECAUSE THEY CAN'T USE ASBESTOS IN BRAKES ANYMORE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751595
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, EXTREMELY HARD DOWN SHIFT FROM 3 TO 2, HUNTING FOR GEARS & HARD SHIFTING IN GENERAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES FOR REPAIR ATTEMPT. AT LAST ATTEMP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEMDY AND TO KEEP DRIVIN…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, EXTREMELY HARD DOWN SHIFT FROM 3 TO 2, HUNTING FOR GEARS & HARD SHIFTING IN GENERAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES FOR REPAIR ATTEMPT. AT LAST ATTEMP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEMDY AND TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES AND ARE EXPERIENCING INTERMITENT GRINDING AS WELL AS LOUD SQUEALING FROM THE BACK BRAKES DAILY. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING, HARD STARTING IN COLD WEATHER AND A GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750620
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.
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