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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

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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

What owners actually said

174 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2007
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR DRIVE OVER ANYTHING, AND BOTH MY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184424

63,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, IT SHOULD NOT BE LEAKING OIL, THERE MUST BE A DEFECT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS FAST, BECAUSE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY…

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ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, IT SHOULD NOT BE LEAKING OIL, THERE MUST BE A DEFECT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS FAST, BECAUSE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A $1000 TO GET IT FIXED WHEN IT IS DAIMLER CHRYSLER FAULT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175467

89,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RECENTLY TOOK MY BREEZE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME I HAD AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. AT THE SAME TIME HE TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. I ASKED HIM TO WAIT ON THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR SO I COULD TALK TO THE DEALER WHILE I WAS HAVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPAIRED. W…

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I RECENTLY TOOK MY BREEZE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME I HAD AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. AT THE SAME TIME HE TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. I ASKED HIM TO WAIT ON THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR SO I COULD TALK TO THE DEALER WHILE I WAS HAVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPAIRED. WHEN I BROUGHT UP THE LEAKING HEAD GASKET AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE MECHANIC GAVE A HEAVY SIGH AND SHOOK HIS HEAD. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THAT WAS FOR, HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE IT WASN'T A RECALL PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I'VE FOUND THIS TO BE QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW / MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I FIND IT ASININE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER WILL NEITHER TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOR ADMIT ANY PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174693

62,313 miles · Nov 22, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS DRIVING TO MY SISTERS AND WAS GOING TOWARDS A LIGHT , GOING TO TURN LEFT AND BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT THE CAR WENT DEAD , THE FUEL PUMP WENT, THE CAR JUST WENT DEAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PEOPLE PEEPING THEIR HORNS, TELLING ME TO GET OFF THE ROAD ETC. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BRO…

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I WAS DRIVING TO MY SISTERS AND WAS GOING TOWARDS A LIGHT , GOING TO TURN LEFT AND BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT THE CAR WENT DEAD , THE FUEL PUMP WENT, THE CAR JUST WENT DEAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PEOPLE PEEPING THEIR HORNS, TELLING ME TO GET OFF THE ROAD ETC. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BROUGHT IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER REPLACED, WHICH COST ME $663 AND FOR A SINGLE MOTHER I CAN NOT AFFORD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174055

62,500 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, P0700 & P0725 CODES. THERE ARE RELATED TO TRANSAXLE PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION WILL, AFTER ABOUT 30 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING, JERK SLIGHTLY, THEN "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON. TRANSMISSION THEN SHIFTS POORLY, JERKS AND SLAMS ON DOWN AND UP SHIFTS. TRANS WILL THEN GO INTO LIMP MODE, LIMITING SPEED TO …

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, P0700 & P0725 CODES. THERE ARE RELATED TO TRANSAXLE PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION WILL, AFTER ABOUT 30 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING, JERK SLIGHTLY, THEN "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON. TRANSMISSION THEN SHIFTS POORLY, JERKS AND SLAMS ON DOWN AND UP SHIFTS. TRANS WILL THEN GO INTO LIMP MODE, LIMITING SPEED TO 45 MPH MAX. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE, THERE ARE 1000'S OF SIMILAR TRANSAXLE PROBLEMS REPORTED. SO FAR, HAVE CHANGED TRANS FLUID, TWICE. LAST TIME COST WAS $150+. REPLACED INPUT AND OUTPUT TRANS SENSORS, INPUT REPLACED TWICE. CLEANED ALL UNDERHOOD GROUNDS, RESET COMPUTER BY BATTERY DISCONNECT. TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, THEY SAID MAYBE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR TRANS CONTROL COMPUTER. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY CHECKED AND FOUND FAULTY INPUT TRANS SPEED SENSOR. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 63K MILES, IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS MUCH POWERTRAIN TROUBLE. SO FAR SPENT ABOUT $700, STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, AS 1000'S OF OTHER PEOPLE. MANY REPORTS OF HIT AND MISS REPAIRS, INCLUDING SOLENOID PACKS, TCM REPLACEMENTS, AND TRANS OVERHAULS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED FOR YEARS BY 1000'S OF OWNERS. THIS IS A POORLY DESIGNED PRODUCT, AND CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170424

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 · Aug 2, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

LOSS OF POWER AND CAR STALLED, UNABLE TO RUN AC OR CAR STALLS. HAD THE CAR TUNED UP, MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE OIL IN THE SPARK PLUG WELL. CAUSING MISFIRE AND LOSS OF POWER. REPLACED O-RING 6/2005. IN 6/2006 SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. LOSS OF POWER, UNABLE TO RUN AC. WAS GOING TO REPLACE TIMING BELT, MECHANIC FOUND THICK GUNKY OIL…

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LOSS OF POWER AND CAR STALLED, UNABLE TO RUN AC OR CAR STALLS. HAD THE CAR TUNED UP, MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE OIL IN THE SPARK PLUG WELL. CAUSING MISFIRE AND LOSS OF POWER. REPLACED O-RING 6/2005. IN 6/2006 SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. LOSS OF POWER, UNABLE TO RUN AC. WAS GOING TO REPLACE TIMING BELT, MECHANIC FOUND THICK GUNKY OIL RESEMBLING LARD. REMOVED THE GUNK AND WEEKS LATER THE SPARK PLUG WELL HAS OIL LEAKING INTO AGAIN WITH WEEKS. CAR RAN WELL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BACK TO THE LOSS OF POWER. CAR IS NOT ABLE TO RUN WITH AC ENGAGED OR IT WILL STALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164198

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

19,000 miles · Mar 24, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL WAS NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE UPPER HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ALSO CONSULTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL CHRYSLER VEHICLES, WITH SAME PROBLEM, IN THE SH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL WAS NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE UPPER HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ALSO CONSULTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL CHRYSLER VEHICLES, WITH SAME PROBLEM, IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153611

55,000 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEVERE OIL LEAK IN MY MOM'S 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT IS CAUSING ME CONCERN. THIS OIL LEAK IS CAUSED BY A BAD HEAD GASKET. THE OIL IS LEAKING ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE OIL WILL GET ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSE A FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVER…

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SEVERE OIL LEAK IN MY MOM'S 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT IS CAUSING ME CONCERN. THIS OIL LEAK IS CAUSED BY A BAD HEAD GASKET. THE OIL IS LEAKING ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE OIL WILL GET ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSE A FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND PEOPLE IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER ENGINES. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. OTHER REPUTABLE CAR MANUFACTURES FIX PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER BEING REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT??? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146210

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