THIS IS A CORRECTED COMPLAINT FROM ODI#759939. WE PURCHESD THE VAN WITH 38,600 MILES. WE BELIEVED WE HAD A 3,000 MILE OR 3 MONTH WARRANTY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER SHORTED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH FIRE. NOT A SMOLDER, A REAL FIRE WITH FLAME AND SMOKE ETC. MY 4 CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE WAS STAN…
Read full complaint
THIS IS A CORRECTED COMPLAINT FROM ODI#759939. WE PURCHESD THE VAN WITH 38,600 MILES. WE BELIEVED WE HAD A 3,000 MILE OR 3 MONTH WARRANTY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER SHORTED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH FIRE. NOT A SMOLDER, A REAL FIRE WITH FLAME AND SMOKE ETC. MY 4 CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE WAS STANDING NEAR THE VAN AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH SNOW. WE NOTIFIED SCOTT MORRIS AT MORRIS MOTORS AND HE SAID HE WOULD CHECK INTO THE SITUATION. WE HAVE WAITED PATIENTLY AND ONLY CALLED EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. HE KEPT TELLING US CHRYSLER WOULD CALL US. NO-ONE EVER CALLED. TODAY SCOTT SAID HE WILL DO NOTHING AND SHOULD HAVE LET THE VAN BURN UP. NO KIDDING, HE SAID THAT. WE CALLED CHRYSLER OURSELVES. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AND NOT TO CALL BACK AND THAT WE COULD NOT SPEAK WITH ANY SUPERVISORS. WHAT IF THE VAN BURNED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND WE COULDN'T PUT THE FIRE OUT? WHAT IF THE VAN BURNS WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND CAUSES A HUGE CATASTROPHE? WE NEED HELP AND NO-ONE IS WILLING TO HELP US. THEY ARE, IN FACT, RUDE AND SARCASTIC. ALL WE ARE ASKING IS FOR A NEW SEAT THAT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND SAFELY. THAT IS ALL WE WANT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. NLM
NHTSA ODI #759944
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Seats
WIRING IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEAT MALFUNCTIONED. OVERHEATED ON LEFT SIDE WHEN SWITCHED ON. SERVICE DEPT AT DEALER DISCONNECTED, STATING THAT IT WAS GETTING SO HOT THAT IT WAS A HAZARD. SO HOT IT COULD MELT WIRING. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $1500!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #739055
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
SeatsFire
SEAT WARMER HEATING ELEMENT CAUSED SEAT ON T PASSENGER'S SIDE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VAN. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. NO ONE WAS SEATING IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866355
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2000
Seats
THE REMOVABLE SECOND SEATS DO NOT HAVE A POSITIVE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR ATTACHING THE SEATS TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN THE SEAT COMING LOOSE WHILE TURNING CORNER. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #552385
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
SeatsFire
THE ELECTRICAL HEATING OF THE LEATHER COVERED SEATS WAS BEING USED DUE TO COLD WINTER CLIMATE. THE PASSENGER WAS DROPPED OFF BUT THE SEAT HEATING WAS LEFT IN THE ON POSITION. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED, THEN SPARKS AND THE LEATHER COVER AND PADDING IGNITED. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE TO EXTINGUISH T…
Read full complaint
THE ELECTRICAL HEATING OF THE LEATHER COVERED SEATS WAS BEING USED DUE TO COLD WINTER CLIMATE. THE PASSENGER WAS DROPPED OFF BUT THE SEAT HEATING WAS LEFT IN THE ON POSITION. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED, THEN SPARKS AND THE LEATHER COVER AND PADDING IGNITED. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES, A HOLE THE SIZE OF A QUARTER WAS BURNED INTO THE SEAT BACK.THE BURN HOLE EXISTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT BACK IN THE THREADED SEAM. SMOKE DAMAGE EXISTS ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK. THE HEATED SEAT HAS STOPPED WORKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717649
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1999
Seats
SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SEATS BECAME TOO HOT AND SCORCHED SEAT. MJS
NHTSA ODI #550140
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 1999
Seats
BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WARMERS ARE EXTREMELY HOT, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER APPARENTLY SHORTED OUT OR BURNED THE SEAT AS THERE WAS A BAD SMELL AS IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VAN, THEN THE SEAT WARMER DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE SEAT A SMALL 4CM HOLE WAS BURNE…
Read full complaint
BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WARMERS ARE EXTREMELY HOT, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER APPARENTLY SHORTED OUT OR BURNED THE SEAT AS THERE WAS A BAD SMELL AS IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VAN, THEN THE SEAT WARMER DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE SEAT A SMALL 4CM HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER WITH APPARENT BLACKENED SEAT MATERIAL BENEATH. *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
1999 Chrysler Town And Country Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration