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1997 Plymouth Breeze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 117.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 26 of 155 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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910,000 miles · Jun 14, 2008
Power Train

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER EASILY POPS OUT OF DRIVE .THERE IS NO LOCK TO HOLD IT IN DRIVE. NOT SURE IF IT WAS MADE THIS WAY ????? YOU CAN HIT IF FORWARD AND IT COULD GO IN TO REVERSE IM SURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231002

165,000 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Power Train

DT: CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/ PARK INTERLOCK. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT, BUT THEY DID NOT GIVE HER AN INVOICE. ONCE SHE PUT SUPER GLUE ON THE SHIFTER, AND AFTER THEY FIXED IT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE SHE GLUED IT WAS STILL THERE. MANUF…

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DT: CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/ PARK INTERLOCK. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT, BUT THEY DID NOT GIVE HER AN INVOICE. ONCE SHE PUT SUPER GLUE ON THE SHIFTER, AND AFTER THEY FIXED IT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE SHE GLUED IT WAS STILL THERE. MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10132076

60,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

GOOD EVENING, I WANTED TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER. I HAVE A 97 PLYMOUTH BREEZE THAT HAS HAD A HEAD AND A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 2 SEPARATE TIMES. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET AND THE TRANSMISSION AFTER IF OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY USE (5, 2003), GOT STUCK 200+ MILES AWA…

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GOOD EVENING, I WANTED TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER. I HAVE A 97 PLYMOUTH BREEZE THAT HAS HAD A HEAD AND A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 2 SEPARATE TIMES. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET AND THE TRANSMISSION AFTER IF OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY USE (5, 2003), GOT STUCK 200+ MILES AWAY FROM HOME. FINALLY I SENT MY LAST PAYMENT LAST MONTH BUT TO MY SURPRISE MY TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP AGAIN AND THE ONLY SERVICES I GET FROM THE SHOP IS FOR MY TO DRIVE TO THEM (200 MILES AWAY). OTHER ISSUES BRAKES DO NOT LAST AND SUSPENSION IS ON THE FRITZ.. THANK YOU DANIEL RODRIGUEZ RBDANIEL@BELLSOUTH.NET MIAMI, FL *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052877

40,000 miles · Mar 20, 2003
Power Train

I NOTICED A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE FROM A MINIMUM SPEED OF 25 MPH AND MORE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A NOISE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. MY BREEZE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND THE…

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I NOTICED A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE FROM A MINIMUM SPEED OF 25 MPH AND MORE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A NOISE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. MY BREEZE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND THEY FOUND THAT A RETAINING SNAP RING HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION (METAL CONTAMINATION, ETC.). THE COST TO REMOVE AND REINSTALL THE TRANSMISSION, DIAGNOSIS, REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND REPLACING THE CLUTCH DISCS AND FLUID WILL COST ME ABOUT $2100. IS THIS A NORMAL THING TO HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES? IS THERE ANY OTHER NOTED COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS THAT WOULD HELP RECTIFY THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS? I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND NOW THEY OFFER A 7 YR/70,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT THIS DOESN'T HELP ME AS THAT DID NOT EXIST BACK ON THE 1997 MODEL YEAR. I BELIEVE I CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM EARLY, BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOT MORE DAMAGE OR EVEN A CRASH, ETC.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010789

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE ENGAGING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WERE NO CORRECTIONS FOR PROBLEM. *AK DEALER FINALLY CORRECTED PROBLEM BY REPLACINHG THE MANUAL VALVE SENSOR AND CLEANING THE STICKING VALVES, …

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WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE ENGAGING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WERE NO CORRECTIONS FOR PROBLEM. *AK DEALER FINALLY CORRECTED PROBLEM BY REPLACINHG THE MANUAL VALVE SENSOR AND CLEANING THE STICKING VALVES, CONSUMER IS SATISFIED WITH REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #886249

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2001
Power Train

COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL ALERT FOR THE POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INTERLOCK SYSTEM. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:98V183000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL WHEN I WAS ON THE INERNET. LOOKING FOR THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR RESALE. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW. I HAVE NOTICESD THE SLIGGISHNESS OF THE C…

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COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL ALERT FOR THE POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INTERLOCK SYSTEM. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:98V183000. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL WHEN I WAS ON THE INERNET. LOOKING FOR THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR RESALE. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW. I HAVE NOTICESD THE SLIGGISHNESS OF THE CAR. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740717

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY FAILED AT 45,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. CONSUMER WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED AT OWN COST. *AK CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED COST OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *YH

NHTSA ODI #880251

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT FAILURES. DEALER HAD REPLACED BOTH TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT THREE TIMES EACH, AND PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE REOCCURRING. DEALERSHIP DENIED RECALL 97V201 STATING THAT ALL PARTS WERE OKAY, THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS AN ONGOING FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MA…

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ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT FAILURES. DEALER HAD REPLACED BOTH TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT THREE TIMES EACH, AND PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE REOCCURRING. DEALERSHIP DENIED RECALL 97V201 STATING THAT ALL PARTS WERE OKAY, THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS AN ONGOING FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCING AN OIL LEAKING PROBLEM, THE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. A CHIPPED DRIVE CHAIN CAUSED MOTOR VIBRATION. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #874932

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH, VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #863622

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

WE HAV EHAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD STARTERS, TRANSMISSION MODULES, FUEL PUMPS, HEAD GASKETS, AND A LEAK DETECTION PUMP REPLACED SO FAR. ALL CHRYSLER CAN SAY ABOUT THIS IS THAT YOUR OUT OF LUCK. THE DEALERSHIP THREATENED TO USE FORCE TO BEAT ME UP (PAT TERHAR TEH GM AT THE DEALERSHIP) ALL I WANT IS CH…

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WE HAV EHAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD STARTERS, TRANSMISSION MODULES, FUEL PUMPS, HEAD GASKETS, AND A LEAK DETECTION PUMP REPLACED SO FAR. ALL CHRYSLER CAN SAY ABOUT THIS IS THAT YOUR OUT OF LUCK. THE DEALERSHIP THREATENED TO USE FORCE TO BEAT ME UP (PAT TERHAR TEH GM AT THE DEALERSHIP) ALL I WANT IS CHRYSLER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD, INSTEAD THEY KEEP CHANGING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS I HAVE HAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I AM RUNNING OUT OF STEAM. THANKS!)( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #722910

Official recalls

4

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

Jun 6, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

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

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.

EA99028 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened Sep 10, 1999 · Closed Jul 26, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99030 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available