DODGE CARAVAN SE 1995 MODEL HAS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE DRIVER SEAT BACK RESTS. MY DODGE CARAVAN SE 1995 MODEL WAS REAR ENDED BY A SPEEDING TOYOTA COROLLA. THE DODGE WAS GOING BELOW 10 MPH DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AHEAD ON THE ROAD. THE COROLLA WAS SPEEDING OVER 65MPH(ABOUT 75MPH). THE DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SEAT BACK REST FELL BACK…
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DODGE CARAVAN SE 1995 MODEL HAS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE DRIVER SEAT BACK RESTS. MY DODGE CARAVAN SE 1995 MODEL WAS REAR ENDED BY A SPEEDING TOYOTA COROLLA. THE DODGE WAS GOING BELOW 10 MPH DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AHEAD ON THE ROAD. THE COROLLA WAS SPEEDING OVER 65MPH(ABOUT 75MPH). THE DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SEAT BACK REST FELL BACKWARD. I ABSOLUTELY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252385
78,000 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Seats
BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TRACK IN PLACE IS SHEARING OFF, CAUSING THE SEAT TO WOBBLE. SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN THE NORMAL UPRIGHT POSITION. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE SEAT IN THIS POSITION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10038141
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2003
Seats
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS AT AN ANGLE, ALMOST TO THE RECLINING POSITION, WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED SEATBACK, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10034260
1,000 miles · Apr 19, 2003
Seat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury
SEAT BELTS COME UNBUCKLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE BECOME LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON WAS PRESSED. AT LEAST ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED WHILE THE VAN WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL PUSHES OF THE BUTTON AND PUSHING AND PULLING ON THE…
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SEAT BELTS COME UNBUCKLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE BECOME LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON WAS PRESSED. AT LEAST ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED WHILE THE VAN WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL PUSHES OF THE BUTTON AND PUSHING AND PULLING ON THE LAP/SHOULDER BELT BEFORE THE BELT RELEASES FROM THE PART OF THE BELT WITH THE BUTTON. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN OUR 1995 DODGE CARAVAN WHICH WE BOUGHT NEW. WE ALSO BOUGHT A NEW 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHICH HAS THE SAME GENERATION 3 SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEATS AND THEY ALSO HAVE COME UNBUCKLED WITHOUT NOTICE. MY NEIGHBOR HAS A 1996 DODGE DAKOTA WHICH HE BOUGHT NEW AND ARGUED WITH THE DEALER UNTIL THEY REPLACED ALL THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN KEPT COMING UNBUCKLED AND JEFF (THE TRUCK OWNER) BECAME TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT CUT TO FREE HIM. THE INCIDENT DATES HAVE NOT BEEN RECORDED BUT THE MOST RECENT TIME WITH THE 1995 CARAVAN WAS THIS MONTH APRIL 2003. ALSO THE SEATS ARE UNSAFE THROUGHOUT THE 1995 CARAVAN. ON 2/6/98 MY WIFE AND I WERE REAR ENDED IN THE 1995 CARAVAN BY A 1990 MERCURY SABLE. WE WERE NEARLY STOPPED WHILE WAITING FOR THE VAN IN FRONT OF US TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE PERSON BEHIND US WAS NOT WATCHING AND SHE REAR ENDED US AT APPROXIMATELY. 40-45 MPH. THIS ACCIDENT WAS WITNESSED BY THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL MAN. THE PERSON BEHIND US WAS WATCHING INSTEAD OF WATCHING WHERE SHE WAS GOING. I WAS NEARLY PARALYZED BECAUSE THE BUILT IN HEAD REST IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH. I AM 6'1" AND MY WIFE IS 5'2". MY WIFE WAS NOT BADLY INJURED. AS FOR MYSELF, THE DISC AT C5-6 WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN APART AND COMPRESSED MY SPINAL CORD IN HALF. I NOW HAVE A BONE GRAFT AND A STEEL PLATE FUSING MY NECK. THE REAR SEATS ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10016196
157,000 miles · Apr 19, 2002
SeatsCrashInjury
ACCIDENT WAS: VAN HIT IN THE REAR WHILE STOPPED. DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE UPON IMPACT. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***760915
NHTSA ODI #10008826
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Seats
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WILL RECLINE BACKWARDS ON IT'S OWN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8003437
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BROKE IN 2 PLACES WHEN I JUST GOT IN THE VEHICLE. IF BREAKAGE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING DRIVING OR AN ACCIDENT, SEVERE HARM COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO MY TWO-YEAR-OLD SON WHO SITS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. AT A MINIMUM, I FEEL DODGE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BASED SOLELY ON THE SAFETY ASPECT. BUT INS…
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DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BROKE IN 2 PLACES WHEN I JUST GOT IN THE VEHICLE. IF BREAKAGE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING DRIVING OR AN ACCIDENT, SEVERE HARM COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO MY TWO-YEAR-OLD SON WHO SITS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. AT A MINIMUM, I FEEL DODGE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BASED SOLELY ON THE SAFETY ASPECT. BUT INSTEAD, THREE DEALERS PASSED THE BUCK TO EACH OTHER, WITH THE THIRD FINALLY SUGGESTING THAT I GO TO AN UPHOLSTERY SHOP. I DID AND THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED FOR $250.00. THE UPHOLSTERY SHOP GAVE ME THE OLD FRAME AND I PLAN TO MAKE PICTURES OF IT. IT IS CLEARLY JUST SNAPPED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES, WITH A THIRD PLACE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO ENSURE NO ONE ELSE IS HURT BY THIS FAULTY CONSTRUCTION????
NHTSA ODI #747739
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
SeatsCrash
WHILE STOPPING CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT CALLAPSED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884072
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2001
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury
THE VAN WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR (APPROX. 35-40 MPH) AND WAS DRIVEN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VAN WAS DRIVEN IN AGAINST THE MOTOR, BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEAT (BACKS) WERE BROKEN, THE DRIVER SEAT WAS FACING SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DRIVERS KNEES WERE FORCED INTO THE DASH (WITH HER SEAT BELT ON) AND…
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THE VAN WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR (APPROX. 35-40 MPH) AND WAS DRIVEN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VAN WAS DRIVEN IN AGAINST THE MOTOR, BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEAT (BACKS) WERE BROKEN, THE DRIVER SEAT WAS FACING SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DRIVERS KNEES WERE FORCED INTO THE DASH (WITH HER SEAT BELT ON) AND NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. CHRYSLER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN I CONTACTED THEM ABOUT WHY THE BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742690
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
SeatsInjury
DRIVERS SEAT BROKE TO A RECLINED POSITION, FORTUNATLY AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, DRIVER AND A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN MOTION, A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
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
6
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
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