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1999 Chrysler Town And Country

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chrysler Town And Country do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 216.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

168 reports with mileage · 194 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports28 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

362 reports
95,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SPEDOMETER HAVE FAILED. WHILE DRIVING MY ENTIRE DASH WOULD TURN OFF. NO SPEDOMETER, NO TACHOMETER, NO FUEL, NOTHING. AFTER A MONTH OR TWO OF THIS HAPPENING ON AND OFF, MY SPEDOMETER STARTED GETTING INACCURATE. IT'S NOW AT ABOUT 37MPH OFF. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF, THE SPEDOMETER GOES TO 0 (OR BELOW 0). …

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SPEDOMETER HAVE FAILED. WHILE DRIVING MY ENTIRE DASH WOULD TURN OFF. NO SPEDOMETER, NO TACHOMETER, NO FUEL, NOTHING. AFTER A MONTH OR TWO OF THIS HAPPENING ON AND OFF, MY SPEDOMETER STARTED GETTING INACCURATE. IT'S NOW AT ABOUT 37MPH OFF. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF, THE SPEDOMETER GOES TO 0 (OR BELOW 0). WHEN I TURN MY KEY TO THE RIGHT, IT GOES TO 37MPH. WHILE I'M DRIVING 20, IT SHOWS 57MPH. IF I'M DRIVING 60MPH, IT SHOWS 97MPH. AFTER PERFORMING A GOOGLE SEARCH AND READING THROUGH SOME TECH BLOGS, WE'VE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND A BROKEN CIRCUIT THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLDERED. WE DID THAT AND HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM WITH MY DASH INSTRUMENTS TURNING OFF SINCE THEN, BUT THE SPEDOMETER IS STILL NOT ACCURATE. WE TRIED DOING A SPEDOMETER RESET WHICH DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, AND IT IS UNSAFE FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO NOT BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL - THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH JEEPS AND DODGE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALLED ISSUE AND CAN'T WAIT TO SELL THIS. I DEFINITELY WON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF PURCHASING JEEP/DODGE/CRYSLER AGAIN IF YOU'RE UNWILLING TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS AT NO COST. AFTER A BRIEF SEARCH, I SEE NHTSA ID NUMBERS: 10253857, 10469302, 10192636, 10093722, 10195148, 10203097, 10093722, 10137954, AND 10062117 FILED WITH SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS WELL AS ALL THE INFO I'VE FOUND ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI #10786491

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10783457

65,000 miles · Oct 8, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. ON OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. FOR EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT BANGING ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE BATTERY, S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. ON OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. FOR EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT BANGING ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND COMPUTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10780707

34,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN MINUTES, THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722836

195,354 miles · Feb 16, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

LEAKING FUEL FROM FUEL RAIL IN FRONT OF MANIFOLD. THERE IS A VALID RECALL, YET CHRYSLER WOULD NOT COVER TOWING VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. I VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER TOWING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683677

125,000 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Suspension

THERE WAS NO INCIDENT YET. THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER STRUT BRACKET IS RUSTED ABOUT A 1/4 OF THE TOP SIDE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MOISTURE COULD HAVE COME FROM? THE SEALS ABOVE THAT AREA SEEM OK. COULDN'T FIND ANY PAST RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS JUST FINE. AT THIS POINT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WON'T COVER FIXI…

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THERE WAS NO INCIDENT YET. THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER STRUT BRACKET IS RUSTED ABOUT A 1/4 OF THE TOP SIDE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MOISTURE COULD HAVE COME FROM? THE SEALS ABOVE THAT AREA SEEM OK. COULDN'T FIND ANY PAST RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS JUST FINE. AT THIS POINT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WON'T COVER FIXING IT. AND AM NOT SURE WHAT COULD BE DONE? THIS IS MY MOM'S CAR AND THE INFORMATION BELOW IS MINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10677035

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2014
Engine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOWN THE ROAD ON 11/16/14 AND THE SERPENTINE BELT CAM OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT DIM AND THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO OVER HEAT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN SO I HAD TO PULL OVER AND PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND EVERY TIME I GO DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS W…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOWN THE ROAD ON 11/16/14 AND THE SERPENTINE BELT CAM OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT DIM AND THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO OVER HEAT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN SO I HAD TO PULL OVER AND PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND EVERY TIME I GO DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET IT COME OFF AND I HAVE TO FIX IT EVERY TIME I HIT A LITTLE WATER PUDDLE IT COME OFF AND I PUT ALL NEW PARTS AND I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY ONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LIKE I HAVE AND I SEEN MORE THEN 9,000 COMPLAINTS AND IM TIRED OF THE PROBLEM IT CAME OFF 10 TIMES THIS YEAR AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IS MISSED ALIGN EVEN THE MECHANICS SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO IF ANY ONE CAN DO SOME THING ABOUT IT PLEASE DO SOME THING BEFORE SOME ONE GETS VERY BAD HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655332

120,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639272

58,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Electrical System

OUR VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. IT STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THEM AND THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IF YOU GOOGLE 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY YOU WILL FIND MANY COMPLAINTS AND FEW SOLUTIONS. ONE PARTY HAS SPENT OVER $3000 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAS…

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OUR VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. IT STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THEM AND THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IF YOU GOOGLE 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY YOU WILL FIND MANY COMPLAINTS AND FEW SOLUTIONS. ONE PARTY HAS SPENT OVER $3000 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT MY GUESS WOULD BE THERE IS A LOOSE SOLDERING JOINT ON ONE OF THE BOARDS. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ALARM. THE CAR THINKS ITS BEING STOLEN SO IT CUTS THE ENGINE OFF. WHAT HAS WORKED FOR US (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) IS A GOOD HARD BANG ON THE TOP OF THE DASH. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING. I DON'T WANT TO GET STRANDED. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE ALARM SET LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME, SOMETIMES EVEN WHILE DRIVING! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CROSS OUR FINGERS EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE VAN! CAN YOU TELL US HOW TO DISCONNECT THE ALARM SYSTEM? I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BAND-AIDE FIX TO THE PROBLEM BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY INSTRUCTIONS. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WITH THE HORN BLOWING FOR THE ALARM SPORADICALLY AND FOR NO REASON. WE TOOK OUT THE HORN FUSE TO PREVENT FURTHER INSTANCES WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. ITS OLD BUT LOW MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617666

122,100 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2013 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE ALARM SYSTEM. IT SHUTS THE VEHICLE DOWN AND WON'T LET IT START AGAIN FOR ANYWHERE FROM DAYS TO WEEKS LATER. I HAVE HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN AND FLASHED BY THE CHRYSLER GARAGE BUT NOTHING AND NOONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2013 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE ALARM SYSTEM. IT SHUTS THE VEHICLE DOWN AND WON'T LET IT START AGAIN FOR ANYWHERE FROM DAYS TO WEEKS LATER. I HAVE HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN AND FLASHED BY THE CHRYSLER GARAGE BUT NOTHING AND NOONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE TOTALLY UNRELIABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO GET STRANDED ANYTIME. I HAVE BEEN DUMPING MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR TRYING TO GET IT FIXED WITH NO LUCK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM THAT IS ADDRESSED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COMPANY. THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616351

Official recalls

4

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

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.

02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Mar 8, 2002

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.

01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Apr 11, 2001

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.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

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