1) USE OF HEATED SEAT. 2) TWICE, HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. EACH TIME IT BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER, AND THE LAST TIME IT WAS SMOLDERING. 3) CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT SAFETY FROM POSSIBLE FIRE WAS NOT THEIR CONCERN. THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE THE AGE AND MILAGE OF THE VECHILE. THEY…
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1) USE OF HEATED SEAT. 2) TWICE, HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. EACH TIME IT BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER, AND THE LAST TIME IT WAS SMOLDERING. 3) CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT SAFETY FROM POSSIBLE FIRE WAS NOT THEIR CONCERN. THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE THE AGE AND MILAGE OF THE VECHILE. THEY RESPONDED THAT MY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, WAS UNDERSTNADABLE, BUT THAT MY REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATIONIN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED. IMAGINE THAT ... EXPENSE AND INCONVIENCE (THEIR'S OF COURSE) OUTWEIGHS IN THEIR MINDS THE ISSUE OF SAFETY. AS I REVIEW OTHER COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA I RECOGNIZE A COMMON THREAD WITH THERE HEATED SEATS. IT OBVIOUSLY TAKES MORE THAN BURNING SOMEONE, OR EVEN BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THEN SMOLDERING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THIS FIRE HAZARD. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE TO DIE FROM A CAR FIRE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10102637
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2004
SeatsInjury
VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC, BURNING THE PASSENGER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE SEAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101937
80,000 miles · Nov 22, 2004
SeatsFire
HEATING SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SEAT CAUSED FIRE THAT BURNED SEAT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10100340
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2004
Seats
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT BURNED THE DRIVER, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101311
47,114 miles · Nov 12, 2004
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEATS CHECKED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETECTED. NOW, THE PASSENGER SEATS ARE OVER HEATING ALSO. THE OWNER HAD THE SEATS REPLACED ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASSIONS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL FOUR SEATS FAIL…
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THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEATS CHECKED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETECTED. NOW, THE PASSENGER SEATS ARE OVER HEATING ALSO. THE OWNER HAD THE SEATS REPLACED ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASSIONS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL FOUR SEATS FAILED. BOTH FRONT SEATS HAD BURN HOLES IN THEM. THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE STRUT TOWER WENT BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT A VIBRATION IS FELT WHILE DRIVING AS IF THE VEHICLE DROVE ON FOUR FLAT TIRES. THE CONSUMER HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN USING THE AM RADIO WHICH ONLY HAPPED WHEN USING THE BRAKE. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10097173
69,000 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Seats
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT ON THE FIRST OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AGAIN. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE SEAT WILL BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099588
95,000 miles · Oct 13, 2004
SeatsFireInjury
LAST YEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT ON FIRE. IT BURNED A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT AND CAUSED A SEVERE BLISTER ON MY LEG BEFORE I SWITCHED IT OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE OVER $1100 TO FIX IT. I TODAY READ ALL THE REPORTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SO I AM NOW REPORTING IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMETHING AS…
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LAST YEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT ON FIRE. IT BURNED A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT AND CAUSED A SEVERE BLISTER ON MY LEG BEFORE I SWITCHED IT OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE OVER $1100 TO FIX IT. I TODAY READ ALL THE REPORTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SO I AM NOW REPORTING IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS THIS IS NOT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10095723
58,000 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Seats
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON CONSUMER SAW THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER TOUCHED THE SEAT IT WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLED OF NOXIOUS FUMES. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10059588
37,400 miles · Jan 29, 2004
SeatsFire
DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WOULD BECOME VERY HOT AFTER 3 TO 4 MIN. I WOULD OFTEN HAVE TO SUDDENLY LOCATE THE SWITCH WHILE DRIVING TO PREVENT BEING BURNED. ON 1/25/04 I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON BUT GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO TALK TO MY SISTER. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES I RETURNED TO MY CAR (STILL RUNNING) TO FIND IT…
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DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WOULD BECOME VERY HOT AFTER 3 TO 4 MIN. I WOULD OFTEN HAVE TO SUDDENLY LOCATE THE SWITCH WHILE DRIVING TO PREVENT BEING BURNED. ON 1/25/04 I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON BUT GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO TALK TO MY SISTER. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES I RETURNED TO MY CAR (STILL RUNNING) TO FIND IT FULL OF SMOKE. I ALSO NOTICED A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND A SMOKING WIRE SHOWING THROUGH. THIS AREA IS AT A SEAM NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE HEAT SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND IS OFTEN KNOCKED ON WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I FEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT MAY ALSO BURN UP SINCE IT IS OFTEN NOT OCCUPIED BUT IN THE ON POSITION. I NOTICED IN MY 2003 VERSION OF THE SAME VAN, THE SEAT HEAT SWITCHES ARE ON THE DASH INSTEAD. THE CHRYSLER PARTS DEPT. TELLS ME IT WILL BE OVER $800 EACH JUST FOR THE SEAT COVER/HEATER UNIT. I HAVE READ ABOUT SIMILAR SEAT FIRES IN OTHER 1999 TOWN & COUNTRY VANS.
NHTSA ODI #10055128
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2004
SeatsFire
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND PART OF DRIVER'S CLOTHING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
8
EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE04017 · Overheating Of Seat Heaters
Opened Feb 18, 2004 · Closed Jun 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 24 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT SPARKS/OVERHEATS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO ONE OF TWO FACTORS:THE STITCHING OPERATION ON THE SEAT COVER MAY CAUSE THE SEWING NEEDLE TO SEVER SOME STRANDS OF THE WIRE HEATING GRID IN THE SEAT, OR A POOR SOLDER JOINT/WIRE CONNECTOR FAILS DUE TO IMPROPER PROCESSING OR LONG TERM OVERSTRESSING.THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH MUST BOTH BE TURNED ON TO POWER THE SEAT HEATER.COMPLAINANTS REPORT THAT WHEN OVERHEATING OCCURS, SWITCHING THE HEATER OFF ALSO STOPS THE OVERHEATING.THE FAILURE CANNOT OCCUR IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF.ODI FINDS THAT THE 33 FIRE ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING VERY LOCALIZED OVERHEATING(PHOTOS OF DAMAGED SEATS SHOW HOLES THE SIZE OF A PENCIL OR LESS).THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF SUSTAINED COMBUSTION AND NO REPORTS OF OTHER FIRE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.THE INJURY ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING MINOR INJURY.NO CONSUMERS REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT (PHYSICIAN CARE).THERE ARE NO ALLEGATIONS OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF A HEATED SEAT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).
EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00034 · Overheating Of Front Seat Heaters
Opened Aug 31, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT SEATS OVER HEAT AND SMOKE OR CATCH FIRE
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
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