NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
8 reportsClear category filter63,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS GONE OUT TWICE (2X) ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2007 WHILE I WAS SITTING IN A CAR WASH. I THOUGHT PERHAPS SOME WATER HAD SPLASHED IN AND SHORTED SOMETHING OUT. SO I DIDN'T REPORT IT. BUT THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY, MAY 29TH. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE I-210 FREEWAY IN THE CARPOOL LANE - N…
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THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS GONE OUT TWICE (2X) ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2007 WHILE I WAS SITTING IN A CAR WASH. I THOUGHT PERHAPS SOME WATER HAD SPLASHED IN AND SHORTED SOMETHING OUT. SO I DIDN'T REPORT IT. BUT THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY, MAY 29TH. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE I-210 FREEWAY IN THE CARPOOL LANE - NEAR AZUSA, CA. SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND I HAD TO PULL ACROSS 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO SAFELY GET OFF THE FREEWAY. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE CAR WOULD JUST HAVE STOPPED DEAD ON A BUSY FREEWAY ON THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON OF THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. I ASKED THE MECHANIC AT CLIPPINGER CHRYSLER IN COVINA WHERE WE HAD THE CAR TOWED IF THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT OUT OFTEN ON THEIR CARS. HE SAID IT WAS "RARE." I THINK THAT THE FACT THAT IT HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON MY CAR IN THE PAST 2 YEARS IS VERY STRANGE AND COULD CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273813
89,490 miles · Feb 19, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN STUTTERING AND STALLING OUT WITH NO WARNING. THE OIL LIGHT REPEATED FLASHES ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN STAYS ON, AND THE CAR WONT START OR JUST CUTS OFF. THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THIS PAST 3 MONTHS ALONE, …
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ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN STUTTERING AND STALLING OUT WITH NO WARNING. THE OIL LIGHT REPEATED FLASHES ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN STAYS ON, AND THE CAR WONT START OR JUST CUTS OFF. THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THIS PAST 3 MONTHS ALONE, IT HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 6 TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT I NEED A TUNE-UP, WHICH WILL COST $700, THEN THE EGR NEEDS REPLACED, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE MECHANIC HAD IT LAST WEEK, HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE CIRRUS VEHICLES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE MALL VIA THE PARKWAY WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS SLOW BECAUSE IF I WAS ON THE PARKWAY AND IT STALLED OUT, MY SISTER AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED. THERE IS NO PREDETERMINED TIME WHEN THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 89500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALL OF MY ORIGINAL REPAIR PAPERS. PROPER MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN DONE ON MY CAR. WHEN IT WORKS, IT IS GREAT. UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259302
99,500 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. A MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED "NO BUS". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. A MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYED "NO BUS". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,500. UPDATED 11/06/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205725
23,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED A SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK …
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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED A SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075805
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
THE UPPER HINGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS SNAPPED AND CAUSING A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENED. I AM AFRAID THE DOOR IS GOING TO FALL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AS OF YET. I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN. I ALOS WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE DECARBED 3-5 TIMES. DEALER STAT…
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THE UPPER HINGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS SNAPPED AND CAUSING A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENED. I AM AFRAID THE DOOR IS GOING TO FALL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AS OF YET. I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN. I ALOS WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE DECARBED 3-5 TIMES. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL BY CHRYSLER THAT THE ENGINE HAS SEVERE CARBON BUILD UP AND THAT IT MAY SOME DAY CAUSE MY HEADS TO CRACK. I DONT FEEL THAT IS RIGHT AND I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF IT DOES HAPPEN. GENERAL MOTORS OFFERS THEIR CUSTOMERS COMPONENT COVERAGE LETTERS WHEN THEY HAVE A CONCERN LIKE THIS WITH THE ENGINE TO SHOW THIER CUSTOMERS THAT THEY STAMP BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I THINK THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10007779
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IS STALLING SUDDENLY, AND FUMES ARE GETTING INTO VEHICLE COMPARMENT, CAUSING HEATLH RISKS DUE TO FAILURE OF SEAL IN FUEL PUMP. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, AND THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO HIGH AMOUNT OF FAILURES. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #889269
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
UNKNOWN FUMES ARE GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER AREA OF MY 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS CAUSING DROWSINESS, AND POOR HEALTH. THE CHRYSLER DEALER CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS WITH AFTERMARKET UNDERCOATING MATERIAL BEING HEATED BY THE EXHAUST. THE UNDERCOATING DEALER, KASTNER'S RUST SHIELD, 40 CLARK, AURORA, IL 630-897-3609, SAID HE IS UNAWARE OF A…
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UNKNOWN FUMES ARE GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER AREA OF MY 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS CAUSING DROWSINESS, AND POOR HEALTH. THE CHRYSLER DEALER CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS WITH AFTERMARKET UNDERCOATING MATERIAL BEING HEATED BY THE EXHAUST. THE UNDERCOATING DEALER, KASTNER'S RUST SHIELD, 40 CLARK, AURORA, IL 630-897-3609, SAID HE IS UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH FUMES. MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT THEY ARE COMBUSTION FUMES. WHATEVER THE ORIGIN, THE FUMES ARE BECOMING UNBEARABLE. THIS VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECT HAS ME NOT ONLY FEELING LIKE SAM SADDRIVER, BUT ALSO LIKE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THOMAS ORTEGA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #732360
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM GETTING CRANKCASE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER AREA WHICH MAKE ME DROWSY. MY CONCERN IS I MAY HAVE AN ACCIDENT*AK.
NHTSA ODI #713551
NHTSA investigations
4EA05019 · 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.
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.
RQ03005 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Jul 16, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL BEFORE THE OPERATORS EXITED THE VEHICLE.MOST OF THE CRASHES WERE MINOR AND INVOLVED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN UNATTENDED CHILDREN MOVED THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN THE OPERATOR WAS STRUCK BY A ROLL-AWAY VEHICLE AFTER PARKING AND EXITING.ALL INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE INTERLOCK PIN THAT RIDES IN THE INTERLOCK LEVER SLOT WITHIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES.
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