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2003 Chrysler Town And Country

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

188 reports with mileage · 57 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.

  • Steering. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports7 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

245 reports
3 miles · Sep 9, 2016
EngineFireInjury

I PURCHASED THE VAN FROM A PRIVATE OWNER 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. HE TOLD ME IT OVERHEATS SOME. I CALLED MY CHRYSLER MECHANIC IN MT. VICTORY, OH AND ASKED HIM IF HE COULD LOOK AT HIM. HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT DOWN. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON ST RT 31 S AND IT STARTED OVERHEATING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. …

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I PURCHASED THE VAN FROM A PRIVATE OWNER 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. HE TOLD ME IT OVERHEATS SOME. I CALLED MY CHRYSLER MECHANIC IN MT. VICTORY, OH AND ASKED HIM IF HE COULD LOOK AT HIM. HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT DOWN. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON ST RT 31 S AND IT STARTED OVERHEATING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS CALLING FOR A TOW AND I HEARD THE SOUND OF FIRE CRACKLING AND SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND TOLD THE PERSON I WAS TALKING TO I NEEDED TO CALL 911 BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES AND HEAVY SMOKE STARTED SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE HOOD. I HAD CALLED 911. THE HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT, OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, KENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND BKP AMBULANCE SERVICE ARRIVED. I SMELLED SO BAD OF SMOKE AND WAS SHAKEN UP BUT THANK GOD I GOT OUT OF IT BEFORE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES!!! IT GOR SO HOT THAT ANYTHING PLASTIC AND RUBBER UNDER THE HOOD MELTED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR EVEN MELTED!!

NHTSA ODI #10905138

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DITCH AND OVER TURNED ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN CAME BACK UPRIGHT ON IT'S TIRES. THE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, HE LATER DIED AS A RESULT OF HIS INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. SEE ALSO ODI 10917404. *DSY ...UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *TR …

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THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DITCH AND OVER TURNED ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN CAME BACK UPRIGHT ON IT'S TIRES. THE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, HE LATER DIED AS A RESULT OF HIS INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. SEE ALSO ODI 10917404. *DSY ...UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *TR *CN

NHTSA ODI #10872127

118,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10850721

290,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.

NHTSA ODI #10849807

130,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I CAN NOT START THE CAR RIGHT UP WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT GO OFF. NOW IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO START....SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT BETWEEN 1 AND 2 HOURS BEFORE IT DECIDES TO START UP.

NHTSA ODI #10747641

165,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE AND LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURRED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE AND LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURRED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732427

200,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS WERE VERY DIM AND THE ROAD VISIBILITY WAS VERY POOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10672182

115,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659286

177,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Service Brakes

AUGUST 25, 2014 MY FATHER WAS DRIVING HIS 02 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2WD 3.3L FLEX. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED GOING LOWER AND LOWER TELL THE WAS NO BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR HE MADE IT HOME THANK GOD! AND HE TOLD ME I STARTED LOOKING FOR LEAKS NO LEAKS ANY WERE L. I CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BY THE NEXT DAY AIR …

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AUGUST 25, 2014 MY FATHER WAS DRIVING HIS 02 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2WD 3.3L FLEX. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED GOING LOWER AND LOWER TELL THE WAS NO BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR HE MADE IT HOME THANK GOD! AND HE TOLD ME I STARTED LOOKING FOR LEAKS NO LEAKS ANY WERE L. I CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BY THE NEXT DAY AIR WAS BACK IN THE SYSTEM SO IV HAD CALIPERS SUCK AIR WITH OUT LEAKING BEFORE SO I CHANGED THEM STILL THE SAME PROBLEM, SO I LOOKED THAT PROBLEM UP ONLINE FOUND TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, MOST OF THE DISCUSSIONS ENDED WITH THE PEOPLE REPLACING THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FIXES THE PROBLEM. WELL I LOOK ONLINE FOR A CONTROL UNIT AUTO STORES DO NOT HAVE DEALER SHIPS DO NOT HAVE THIS PART MOPAR CAN NOT FIND BECAUSE IT DON'T EXIST NO MORE. SO NOW IM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND NO REPLACEMENT PARTS OR RECALLS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROADS AND THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. IM SURE THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND THE LONGER THEY WAIT TO RECALL IT THE MORE THERE WILL BE AND THEY COULD BE DEADLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631527

134,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Exterior Lighting

AS I WAS DRIVING (AT NIGHT) MY HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3SECONDS--I SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE A THING. IT WAS PRETTY SCARY, BUT I HANDLED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627636

Official recalls

2

05V134000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Apr 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN UNBELTED PASSENGER COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER LIFTGATE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V386000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Aug 5, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS 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

3

DP14002 · Engine Stall After Refueling

Opened Sep 5, 2014 · Closed Apr 6, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

This defect petition evaluates July 7, 2014 allegations from an owner of a model year (MY) 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that engine stall occurs in these vehicles without warning after refueling.The petitioner's vehicle is a Chrysler RS platform minivan.The RS platform includes MY 2003 through 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Chrysler Voyager minivans.NHTSA evaluated the petition by analyzing consumer complaints submitted to the Agency, analyzing field data, reviewing technical information provided in Chrysler's response to an Agency information request and testing an RS minivan identified by its owner as experiencing post-refuel engine stalls.After completing this evaluation, NHTSA has concluded that further investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists.The stalls occurring in these vehicles only occur immediately after filling up the fuel tank and happen at low engine speeds. The failure rate is low, even after 8 to 13 years of the vehicles being in service, and there are no reports of crashes or injuries resulting from the stall condition.In the Agency's view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in finding the existence of a safety-related defect in the subject vehicles.Given the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the Agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will take further action if warranted by future circumstances. More details concerning our review can be found in the Federal Register Notice for this action.The following 161 VOQs are included in the petition evaluation: 10209242, 10229468, 10240708, 10260923, 10275939, 10276532, 10296487, 10298175, 10328669, 10330144, 10346517, 10349789, 10354758, 10363689, 10372112, 10372368, 10372514, 10378031, 10379764, 10382938, 10387448, 10394063, 10398877, 10413918, 10418652, 10420924, 10427063, 10437525, 10445392, 10446902, 10470028, 10471249, 10473733, 10502231, 10503114, 10504260, 10509862, 10511988, 10512120, 10512385, 10512650, 10513147, 10538154, 10549841, 10551763, 10555188, 10555418, 10556754, 10565367, 10574012, 10574398, 10586555, 10587212, 10587559, 10593433, 10607841, 10607913, 10608922, 10615810, 10622468, 10628141, 10632112, 10632128, 10632172, 10632175, 10632231, 10632262, 10632266, 10632270, 10632305, 10632316, 10632326, 10632370, 10632385, 10632399, 10632492, 10632542, 10632765, 10632833, 10632928, 10633197, 10633281, 10633409, 10633421, 10633483, 10633507, 10637752, 10637804, 10637950, 10637975, 10638032, 10638289, 10638290, 10638401, 10638968, 10639218, 10639623, 10641157, 10641603, 10641614, 10641836, 10644339, 10644705, 10649713, 10649895, 10649932, 10650313, 10652590, 10653147, 10653783, 10654533, 10655226, 10658900, 10659679, 10660320, 10662588, 10662645, 10662662, 10663473, 10667056, 10667437, 10668081, 10668094, 10668131, 10668612, 10668969, 10668970, 10669584, 10669678, 10669729, 10669775, 10669866, 10669895, 10669992, 10670422, 10670506, 10676348, 10676732, 10677120, 10679795, 10679934, 10680057, 10680290, 10680342, 10680714, 10681512, 10682584, 10682906, 10683022, 10683114, 10683549, 10683620, 10683697, 10683743, 10689898, 10690761, 10691284, 10691556, 10691751, 10693061, 10694300

EA04031 · Power Liftgate Latch

Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

PE04054 · Power Liftgate Latch

Opened Jul 30, 2004 · Closed Nov 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.