THIS IS A FOLLOWUP LETTER TO NHTSA FROM ME REGARDING FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IN MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FOR THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY WERE FROM 1996 AND 2000. NOW COMES THE PART I DO NOT UNDERSTAND....MY VEHICLE FALLS BETWEEN 1996 AND 2000 AND....MY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED...DAIMLER CHR…
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THIS IS A FOLLOWUP LETTER TO NHTSA FROM ME REGARDING FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IN MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FOR THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY WERE FROM 1996 AND 2000. NOW COMES THE PART I DO NOT UNDERSTAND....MY VEHICLE FALLS BETWEEN 1996 AND 2000 AND....MY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED...DAIMLER CHRYSLER TELLS ME I DO NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ON THEIR LIST OF RECALLS. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON? THIS IS VERY PUZZELING. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME ON THIS. I HOPE YOU CAN. I'M 70 YEARS OLD AND ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME. THIS WAS A COSTLY REPAIR JOB, BY MY STANDARDS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765145
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Air Bags
FAILURE OF CLOCKSPRING AFFECTS HORN & SPEED CONTROL ALSO.*JB
NHTSA ODI #764739
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON AND OFF. CURRENTLY, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014665
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND OFF WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT AIR BAG MIGHT NOT WORK. ALSO, THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8014355
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
OUR CLOCKSPRING BROKE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT CONTROLS THE HORN, AIRBAG AND UNFORTUNATELY THE CRUISE CONTROL. WE WERE ON A TRIP AND APPROACHING A TOWN. I TAPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. IN FACT, I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 OR 65 WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND EV…
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OUR CLOCKSPRING BROKE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT CONTROLS THE HORN, AIRBAG AND UNFORTUNATELY THE CRUISE CONTROL. WE WERE ON A TRIP AND APPROACHING A TOWN. I TAPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. IN FACT, I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 OR 65 WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND EVENTUALLY I WAS AT THE SPEED OF 90. THE VAN WAS ACCELLING WHILE I WAS TRYING TO STOP IT. WE FINALLY GOT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN EITHER NEUTRAL OR PARK JUST SO WE COULD GET IT TO STOP. OUR HORN DOESN'T WORK NOW AND OUR AIRBAG PROBABLY WON'T DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS COULD CAUSE ALOT OF ACCIDENTS AND MAY HURT PEOPLE IF SOMETHING DOESN'T GET DONE ABOUT IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763571
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON & GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY,HORN DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761869
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. HORN AND SPEED CONTROL IS INOPERABLE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8008355
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759036
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2002
Air BagsInjury
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK*JG
NHTSA ODI #8003717
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System
HORN SOUNDS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PRESSED. HAD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT SOP MODULE WAS FAULTY, AND AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *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 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: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT WEBBING WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED AROUND THE METAL REINFORCEMENT BAR ON THESE SEATS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.
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
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.
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
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
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