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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

66 reports
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151,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY SNAPPED IN HALF, THE ENTIRE TIRE ALMOST CAME ALL THE WAY OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10810584

229,000 miles · Nov 19, 2013
Steering

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING PROBLEM SUBSIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANU…

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING PROBLEM SUBSIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. JFT. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JAN 05, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V001000 COMPONENT(S): STEERING

NHTSA ODI #10552895

154,000 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

MY DODGE STRATUS STARTED BLOWING HORN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING. EVERYTIME I TURN THE WHEEL THE HORN BLOWS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME IN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN LOCKS START GOING UP AND DOWN AND DOOR MAKE BEEP AS IF A DOOR HIS OPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING, CUT INSIDE LIGHTS OFF AND STOP LOC…

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MY DODGE STRATUS STARTED BLOWING HORN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING. EVERYTIME I TURN THE WHEEL THE HORN BLOWS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME IN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN LOCKS START GOING UP AND DOWN AND DOOR MAKE BEEP AS IF A DOOR HIS OPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING, CUT INSIDE LIGHTS OFF AND STOP LOCKS FROM GOING UP AND DOWN. THE CAR STILL MAKES BEEP NOISE AS IF DOOR OPEN WHOLE TIME DRIVING AND STOPS AND START BACK WHEN I HIT A BUMP. MY FRONT WHEEL MAKING A NOISE AS IF THE WHEEL IS GOING TO BREAK OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS ALSO DRINKING GAS AS IF IT IS LEAKING. I DONT SEE ANY GAS ON THE GROUND BUT I CAN SMELL FUMES OFF AND ONE AND SOMETIMES UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS LIKE I AM LOSING GAS PRESSURE BECAUSE CAR STALLS AND I AM LOSING GAS SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515764

178,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
SteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA AND IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WAS POWER STEERING FL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA AND IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE MALFUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY WHETHER VIN WAS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10443428

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringFire

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR A FRIEND WENT OUTSIDE AND SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.SHE CALLED ME AND I RAN TO THE CAR AND I SEEN FIRE UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL'S. FRIENDS SPRAYED WATER ON THE HOOD AND I OPENED IT UP A LITTLE AND THEY SPRAYED THE FIRE AND PUT IT OUT. BY THIS TIME THE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS BURNT BAD. EVERYTHING O…

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AFTER DRIVING MY CAR A FRIEND WENT OUTSIDE AND SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.SHE CALLED ME AND I RAN TO THE CAR AND I SEEN FIRE UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL'S. FRIENDS SPRAYED WATER ON THE HOOD AND I OPENED IT UP A LITTLE AND THEY SPRAYED THE FIRE AND PUT IT OUT. BY THIS TIME THE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS BURNT BAD. EVERYTHING ON TOP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS CAUSED BY THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE POWERSTEERING. I FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD A RECALL ON THE HOSE SO I CALLED DODGE CORP. AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE # AND TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER SO I DID. THEN THE CORP. OFFICE CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID IT'S BEEN TO LONG THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY THE LAST OWNER AND HUNG UP. I BOUGHT THIS CAR OCT.14 OF THIS YEAR AND THIS HAPPENED ON THE 31. HOW AM I TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN 18 DAY'S. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND I THINK. THE COMPUTER CAN TELL YOU THE RECALL AND HOW TO GET IT FIXED; BUT YOU TRY TO FIND SOMEWHERE ON HERE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE IS A RECALL AND IT DONE WHAT IT SAID IT WOULD DO AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL IT DID IT. I NEED HELP I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. I TOOK OUT A LOAN TO GET IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435993

200,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
SteeringFireInjury

I NEED SOME ONE TO INVESTIGATE A RECALL PART ON A 2000 DODGE STRATUS ON A POWER STEERING LEAK THAT CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP. AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ON WHAT CAUSE THE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407055

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2010
SteeringSuspension

FRONT PASSENGER TIE ROD ON 2000 DODGE KEEPS BREAKING. HAVE REPLACED TIE ROD 4 TIMES, BUT 2 SEPARATE MECHANICS ARE TELLING US THAT THE ONLY REASON THAT TIE RODS WOULD BREAK REPEATEDLY IS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT. TIE ROD HAS SNAPPED NEXT TO BALL JOINT EVERY TIME. IT IS ALREADY CRACKED AND ABOUT TO BREAK AGAIN. IT HAS RES…

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FRONT PASSENGER TIE ROD ON 2000 DODGE KEEPS BREAKING. HAVE REPLACED TIE ROD 4 TIMES, BUT 2 SEPARATE MECHANICS ARE TELLING US THAT THE ONLY REASON THAT TIE RODS WOULD BREAK REPEATEDLY IS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT. TIE ROD HAS SNAPPED NEXT TO BALL JOINT EVERY TIME. IT IS ALREADY CRACKED AND ABOUT TO BREAK AGAIN. IT HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS FOR US AND ONCE BEING STRANDED AT A GAS STATION AN HOUR FROM HOME. THE LAST TIME IT BROKE WAS NOVEMBER 2009. THE BALL JOINT IS THE ORIGINAL THAT CAME ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331614

160,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009
SteeringFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE WINDSHIELD. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE WINDSHIELD. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE CONTACT'S POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10258342

93,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); HOWEVER, THE SECONDARY POWER STEERING HOSE ALSO CRACKED DUE TO AGING. BOTH POWER STEERING HOSES EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, BUT ONLY ONE IS COVERD UNDE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); HOWEVER, THE SECONDARY POWER STEERING HOSE ALSO CRACKED DUE TO AGING. BOTH POWER STEERING HOSES EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, BUT ONLY ONE IS COVERD UNDER THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10236993

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. HE WAITED FOR ASSISTANCE UNTIL 2:00 PM FOR SOMEONE TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE LEFT THE DEALER AND NEVER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. HE WAITED FOR ASSISTANCE UNTIL 2:00 PM FOR SOMEONE TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE LEFT THE DEALER AND NEVER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER NAMED JONATHAN, WHO WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND REFUSED TO HELP HIM FIND ANOTHER DEALER TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. AFTER A BRIEF DEBATE, JONATHAN ABRUPTLY DISCONNECTED THE CALL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 960.

NHTSA ODI #10224239

Official recalls

5

06V001000 · 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

3

EA05019 · 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.