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1998 Plymouth Breeze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 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

48 reports with mileage · 126 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports11 fire reports15 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

RIGHT REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. BRAKE WOULD COME ON BUT NOT RELEASE. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY THIS WEBSITE AND INFORMATION FROM ANOTHER PERSON'S COMPLAINT, SEE BELOW. THE FLEX LINE GOING TO THE WHEEL HAS A BRACKET ATTACHED AND THIS WAS CRIMPED TOO TIGHT, PINCHING OFF THE LINE. BRAKE FLUID WAS GETTING THROUGH ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKE…

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RIGHT REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. BRAKE WOULD COME ON BUT NOT RELEASE. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY THIS WEBSITE AND INFORMATION FROM ANOTHER PERSON'S COMPLAINT, SEE BELOW. THE FLEX LINE GOING TO THE WHEEL HAS A BRACKET ATTACHED AND THIS WAS CRIMPED TOO TIGHT, PINCHING OFF THE LINE. BRAKE FLUID WAS GETTING THROUGH ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT NOT FLOWING BACK TO RELEASE THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEMS WERE MANY AND THE FOLLOWING HAD TO BE REPLACED; EXCESSIVE HEAT DESTROYED THE WHEEL CYLINDER, THE WHEEL BEARING, THE SHOES, THE SPRINGS AND HOLD DOWN KIT AND BRAKE DRUM. ANOTHER PERSON'S COMPLAINT IS BELOW. COMPLAINT NUMBER: 10161903 SUMMARY: MY FATHER IN LAW SAID HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES ON HIS 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER IN WAS ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PULLED THE FRONT WHEELS THE LEFT PAD WAS WORN A GOOD BIT MORE THAN THE RIGHT. WHEN I PULLED THE REAR WHEELS THE RIGHT SHOES WERE CRACKED AND THE LEFT WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. I MADE ALL THE REPAIRS BUT I COULDN'T GET A PROPER BLEED ON THE REAR BRAKES. FURTHER LOOKING SHOWED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS LOCKING UP THAN SLOWLY RELEASING. LOOKING EVEN CLOSER I FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE HOSES ON BOTH SIDES WERE PLUGGED UP AT THE POINT WERE THE HOSE WAS CRIMPED TO THE BRACKET. PRYING UP ON THE CRIMP SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WITH NO BACK BRAKES. IT TOOK ME 2 FULL DAYS AND $200.00 TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165018

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY FATHER IN LAW SAID HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES ON HIS 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER IN WAS ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PULLED THE FRONT WHEELS THE LEFT PAD WAS WORN A GOOD BIT MORE THAN THE RIGHT. WHEN I PULLED THE REAR WHEELS THE RIGHT SHOES WERE CRACKED AND THE LEFT WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING…

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MY FATHER IN LAW SAID HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES ON HIS 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER IN WAS ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PULLED THE FRONT WHEELS THE LEFT PAD WAS WORN A GOOD BIT MORE THAN THE RIGHT. WHEN I PULLED THE REAR WHEELS THE RIGHT SHOES WERE CRACKED AND THE LEFT WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. I MADE ALL THE REPAIRS BUT I COULDN'T GET A PROPER BLEED ON THE REAR BRAKES. FURTHER LOOKING SHOWED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS LOCKING UP THAN SLOWLY RELEASING. LOOKING EVEN CLOSER I FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE HOSES ON BOTH SIDES WERE PLUGGED UP AT THE POINT WERE THE HOSE WAS CRIMPED TO THE BRACKET. PRYING UP ON THE CRIMP SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WITH NO BACK BRAKES. IT TOOK ME 2 FULL DAYS AND $200.00 TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161903

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashFireInjury

WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEP…

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WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION EVERYTHING WAS DESTROYED. ONE DEATH AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER NOW WALKS WITH A LIMP. ACCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND SPRING 1999 *TC

NHTSA ODI #10091487

7,200 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE ON FRONT WHEEL BURST,LOST MOST BRAKING ABILITY,LUCKLY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT CALIBER RUBBED THE WHEEL RIM AND CREATED A WEAK AREA THAT BURST. I INSPECTED THE OTHER SIDE CALIBER BRAKE LINE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS ALSO RUBBING THE WHEEL RIM AND ALSO HAD A WORN AREA. THIS RUBBING OCC…

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BRAKE LINE ON FRONT WHEEL BURST,LOST MOST BRAKING ABILITY,LUCKLY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT CALIBER RUBBED THE WHEEL RIM AND CREATED A WEAK AREA THAT BURST. I INSPECTED THE OTHER SIDE CALIBER BRAKE LINE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS ALSO RUBBING THE WHEEL RIM AND ALSO HAD A WORN AREA. THIS RUBBING OCCURED WHEN THE STEERING WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026085

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDALGOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006267

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD THE PADS AND SHOES REPLACED 3 TIMES 01/22/00,05/16/00 AND02/02/2001 THE ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND DATE AND THE REAR DRUM BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE OF LEAKING. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND IT WAS A RENTAL CAR BUT I STILL BELIEVE THAT 3 REPAIRS IN 14 MONTHS IS MORE THAN IT SHOULD BE. THE CAR HAS HAD 2 DRIVERS…

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I HAVE HAD THE PADS AND SHOES REPLACED 3 TIMES 01/22/00,05/16/00 AND02/02/2001 THE ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND DATE AND THE REAR DRUM BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE OF LEAKING. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND IT WAS A RENTAL CAR BUT I STILL BELIEVE THAT 3 REPAIRS IN 14 MONTHS IS MORE THAN IT SHOULD BE. THE CAR HAS HAD 2 DRIVERS NOW IT ONLY HAS ONE MY HUSBAND DROVE PRIMARILY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS HIS DRIVING SINCE HIS DEATH I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER ARE YOU GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING. IT IS A PROBLEM OF MECHANICS AND PARTS NOT DRIVER. I HAVE PAID ALMOST 600.00 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS I FEEL THIS IS EXCESSIVE AND WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. I AM CONSTANTLY AFRAID THE BRAKES WILL GO OUT AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR BUT ONLY HAVE ONE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK SO MY HANDS ARE TIED UNLESS YOU CAN HELP ME. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749524

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO REGULAR MECHANIC, AND HE FOUND OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO RECALL 99V244 000 CONCERNING REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBES THAT DEALER HAD CHECKED BEFORE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #888067

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ONGOING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATING - ESPECIALLY THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL - WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED FOUR TIMES BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. BRAKES ALSO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE SLIPPING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735841

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE HAVE MADE NOISE SINCE PURCHASE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR RECALL 99V244 BUT DEALER SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE WHILE BRAKING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #554335

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKES HAVE A BAD SQUEAK, CLEANING HELPS FOR A SHORT TIME. PAD WEAR OK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725656

Official recalls

3

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.

99V244000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 15, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.

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.

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

2

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