MY VAN WAS PARKED OUT SIDE LUCKYS ON MITALDA NEAR W MAUDE AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE CA 94086 I WAS USING THE WATER REFILLING STATION AND STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE WHEN I TURNED AROUND I IMIDEATLLY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT WAS ON FIRE. NOT HAVING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I TOOK THE BOTTLE OF WATER I HAD IN MY HANDS AND STAR…
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MY VAN WAS PARKED OUT SIDE LUCKYS ON MITALDA NEAR W MAUDE AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE CA 94086 I WAS USING THE WATER REFILLING STATION AND STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE WHEN I TURNED AROUND I IMIDEATLLY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT WAS ON FIRE. NOT HAVING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I TOOK THE BOTTLE OF WATER I HAD IN MY HANDS AND STARTED TO THROW WATER ON IT UNTIL THE FLAMES WENT OUT. WHAT IN THE HELL WOULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN? IS MY VAN UP FOR RECALL? I JUST PURCHASED THE VAN JUST A WEEK AGO. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE FOR ME NOT TO MENTION EXTREMELY COSTLY REPLACING EVERYTHING'S THAT'S BEEN GOING OUT. THE A/C CLUSTER THE DASH CLUSTER THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR. THE REAR VENT MOTOR. COUNTLESS BULBS AND FUSES.
NHTSA ODI #11340809
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2010
Exterior LightingCrash
TURNING OUT PARKING LOT AND DID NOT SEE POLE. DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND MY FENDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328052
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2010
Exterior LightingCrash
TURNING OUT PARKING LOT AND DID NOT SEE POLE. DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND MY FENDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328051
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2010
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO NOT BE BRIGHT ENOUGH. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF FILMS BLOCKING THE LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328047
149,766 miles · Aug 7, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE IS A POWER FLUCTUATION, THE REAR WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE PARKING LIGHT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. HE REPLACED THE BULB, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THERE IS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,766. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10237378
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2007
Exterior Lighting
BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ON THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN WERE FROSTED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT SHOWING UP AS BRIGHT. THEY APPEARED LOW LIT ALL THE TIME AS IF THE LIGHT COULD NOT FILTER THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE FROSTED LOOK ALL THE TIME. THIS WAS A HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE HEADLIGHT COVERS LOOK…
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BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ON THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN WERE FROSTED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT SHOWING UP AS BRIGHT. THEY APPEARED LOW LIT ALL THE TIME AS IF THE LIGHT COULD NOT FILTER THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE FROSTED LOOK ALL THE TIME. THIS WAS A HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE HEADLIGHT COVERS LOOKED LIKE THEY DID. THIS WAS A REAL PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED HORRIBLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190703
130,000 miles · Dec 26, 2006
Exterior Lighting
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE DULLED TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOTICEABLY DIMMED TO THE POINT THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10177014
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2005
Exterior Lighting
DT: THE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE NO LONGER TRANSPARENT, BUT WERE TURNING OPAQUE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE REPLACED BUT AT T CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER…
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DT: THE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE NO LONGER TRANSPARENT, BUT WERE TURNING OPAQUE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE REPLACED BUT AT T CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10135849
85,000 miles · Dec 10, 2004
Exterior Lighting
THE CLEAR PLASTIC LENSES THAT COVER THE HEAD LAMP BULBS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDED AND GREATLY DIMINISH THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT ITS NORMAL. I HAVE NOTICED THIS CONDITION ON MANY OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CONDITION . THIS CONDITION CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY…
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THE CLEAR PLASTIC LENSES THAT COVER THE HEAD LAMP BULBS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDED AND GREATLY DIMINISH THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT ITS NORMAL. I HAVE NOTICED THIS CONDITION ON MANY OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CONDITION . THIS CONDITION CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING BY REDUCING VISIBILITY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE IS NO MENTION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LISTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF ANY REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102497
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSteering
RECALL PROBLEMS WITH EXHAUST AND AIR BAGS. *MR THERE WAS NO BACK UP LIGHTS, HORN, OR CLOCKSPRING. *SC
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
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 VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 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: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).
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
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
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
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.
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.
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