IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AT ALL. THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE TIME. THE RADIO WOULDN'T WORK. THE A/C BUTTON WOULD NOT REMAIN ENGAGED. THE OVERHEAD MATERIAL WAS COMING DOWN. *NM
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cirrus years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Chrysler Cirrus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cirrus years →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: 33 of 369 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
44 crash reports5 fire reports24 injury reports
Equipment complaints
33 reportsI DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO BACK THROUGH THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF RECEIPTS FOR THIS LEMON THAT HAS HAD EVERY MAJOR COMPONENT FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LATEST IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION FAILURE SINCE 1995.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 08/12/03. I PAID 8800.00 FOR THE CAR. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN FOR 1 YEAR. DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING I RAN A CARFAX REPORT AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE WHEN PRO CAR BOUGHT IT AT THE AUCTION. THE MANAGER DENIED KNOWING THIS. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON 8/15/03 BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS T…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR 08/12/03. I PAID 8800.00 FOR THE CAR. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN FOR 1 YEAR. DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING I RAN A CARFAX REPORT AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE WHEN PRO CAR BOUGHT IT AT THE AUCTION. THE MANAGER DENIED KNOWING THIS. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON 8/15/03 BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS TIGHTENING UP AND POWER STEERING WAS NONEXISTENT WHEN GOING UNDER 10MPH. SERVICE MAN TOLD ME STEERING RACK BUT THEN THEY TOOK THAT BACK. CAR WAS OVERHEATING, AND SOMETHING WRONG WITH IDLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT OVERHEATING WAS NORMAL UNLESS IT WAS GOING IN THE RED. TOOK IN 08/21..SAME PROBLEMS AS BEFORE BUT NOW TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT AND WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR TRAVELING DOWN THE HWY DOING 65MPH..CAR WOULD INSTANTLY SLOW DOWN AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ALMOST GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT TWICE. NOW WAS OVERHEATING INTO THE RED. CALLED 08/25 ONCE AGAIN THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEMS. WENT IN 08/26 DROVE THE CAR WITH SERVICE MANAGER. OVERHEATING OCCURRED AGAIN. THEY SAID A FAN WAS UNPLUGGED...SHOWED THEM IDLE THEY SPRAYED WIRES DOWN WITH WATER. SHOWED STEERING PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK. TRANSMISSION DID NOT ACT UP AT TIMES BUT NOTHING WAS DONE WITH THAT. 09/18/03 TOOK CARE IN WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF GEAR. THEY FIXED A SOLENOID PACK. PICKED UP ON THE 19TH ON THE WAY HOME CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AGAIN. CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND TO TRANSMISSION SHOP. 10/14/03 TOOK TO RICKS TRANSMISSION SHOP. REPAIRS DONE ON TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP CAR ON 10/15. 10/17/03 CAR BROKE DOWN IN PARKING LOT. TURNED KEY NOTHING HAPPENED AT ALL. PASSERBY SAID DUE TO WORK ON TRANSMISSION THIS WAS MOST LIKELY A NEUTRAL SWITCH THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED. 10/20 TOOK CAR INTO PRO CAR AGAIN. EXPLAINED TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND LEMON LAW AND THAT I WAS TIRED OF THE CAR AND DID NOT WANT IT. MANAGER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
BRAKES-DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKES WILL MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND GO TO THE FLOOR, AND WILL FINALLY STOP. HAD BRAKES REPLACED OFTEN, BECAUSE THEY WEAR DOWN OFTEN. BATTERY- HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. ENGINE-DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR SITTING AT STOP SIGNS AND …
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BRAKES-DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKES WILL MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND GO TO THE FLOOR, AND WILL FINALLY STOP. HAD BRAKES REPLACED OFTEN, BECAUSE THEY WEAR DOWN OFTEN. BATTERY- HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. ENGINE-DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR SITTING AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS CAR WILL STALL WITHOT WARNING, TOOK CAR TO THE SHOP, COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, ALSO CALLED MANUFACTURE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN CAR IS FULL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, RADIO IN CAR WOULD GO OFF WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, FINALLY STOP WORKING ,DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. AIR CONDITIONER-HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER, HAVE HAD DIFFERENT PARTS REPLACED,WHEN SITTING WITH AIR ON CAR TRIES TO GO DIED. TRANSMISSION- CAR LEAKS FLUID, CAN'T FIND SPOT, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP IS HARD TO PULL, HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS OUT OF CAR AND SENT TO CAR REPAIR SHOP MANY TIMES. *AK
VEHICLE HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. *MJS
A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED SERPITENE BELT BROKE REPLACED COMPRESSOR WITH REBUILT ONE 4/99 THEN ON 9/13/99 THAT COMPRESSOR ALSO SEIZED
RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED HOWEVER WAS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY (98V-193). MJS
THE A/C CLUTCH FELL OFF OF THE STUD, SINCE THEN A PUFF OF SMOKE AND CHIRPING NOISE IS EMITTED FROM THE LOCATION OF THE CLUTCH WHENEVER THE A/C IS ON, AND THE CAR IS IDLING/STOPPED. NLM
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILUERS OF THE AC COMPRESSOR ON THIS VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES THE COMPRESSOR OVERHEATED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED THE COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO JAM, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OPERATION OF THE ALTERNATOR. THE SECOND COMPRE…
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I HAVE HAD 2 FAILUERS OF THE AC COMPRESSOR ON THIS VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES THE COMPRESSOR OVERHEATED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED THE COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO JAM, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OPERATION OF THE ALTERNATOR. THE SECOND COMPRESSOR FAILED AFTER ONLY 7,000 MILES OF OPERATION AND HS YET TO BE REPAIRED.
THIS FORM IS NOT USER FRIENDLY. YOU ARE PRECLUDED FROM GOING BACK TO PREVIOUS SCREENS WITHOUT LOSING INFORMATION. I JUST FILLED OUT A FORM COMPLETELY, AND WAS CUT OFF BEFORE I COULD ADD COMMENTS! PLEASE CROSS REFERENCE MY INFORMATION. MY ADDITONAL COMMENT IS THAT GIVEN THAT MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD, I FEEL THAT I HAVE HAD…
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THIS FORM IS NOT USER FRIENDLY. YOU ARE PRECLUDED FROM GOING BACK TO PREVIOUS SCREENS WITHOUT LOSING INFORMATION. I JUST FILLED OUT A FORM COMPLETELY, AND WAS CUT OFF BEFORE I COULD ADD COMMENTS! PLEASE CROSS REFERENCE MY INFORMATION. MY ADDITONAL COMMENT IS THAT GIVEN THAT MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD, I FEEL THAT I HAVE HAD MAJOR REPAIR ITEMS, SUCH AS A/C COMPRESSOR/ BRAKE ROTORS/TIE RODS). IF A CAR IS MADE TO LAST, THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT ARISE. THE DEALERSHIPS VIEW IS THAT A 4 YEAR CAR WITH 27,000 MILES IS WORN OUT AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS. MY OTHER CAR IS A SATURN AND AFTER 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD ZERO REPAIRS ASIDE FROM NORMAL MAINTENANCE. CHRYSLER MAKES BAD PRODUCTS, AND DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS. PLEASE BE ON ALERT THAT THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS ARISING WITH CIRRUS MODELS. I HAVE DEALT WITH TAMIAMI CHRYSLER IN MIAMI 305 266-5500 WHO ARE INCOMPETENT, LIARS AND CROOKS. COME DOWN HARD ON CHRYSLER. *AK
Official recalls
704V021000 · 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.
98V063000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Mar 20, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE LOADING REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT ANCHOR CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SEAT BELT PROTECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SEAT BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR FLOOR ATTACHMENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING. IF THE ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ORIENTED, THE ORIENTATION WILL BE CORRECTED.
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.
96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
May 3, 1996
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
96V074000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
May 2, 1996
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
96V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
Jan 11, 1996
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
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
4EA03011 · 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.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.
PE97009 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 29, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
THE MANUFACTURER IDENTIFED VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINT FAILURES AS TABULATED ABOVE.IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 72 WARRANTY REPORTS WERE IDENTIFIED FOR REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN OR CRACKED BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CHRYSLER ALSO REPORTED THAT 1996 AND 1997 MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AS THE SUBJECT 1995 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.A PARTIAL RESPONSE TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S ANALYSES AND EVALUATIONS OF THE CONDITION WERE CONTINUING.IN ORDER TO CONTINUE NHTSA'S COMPLETE ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THIS MATTER, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.