AS THE OWNER OF TWO CAREFULLY MAINTAINED 1999 CHRYSLER EXTENDED-WHEEL BASE MINIVANS, I WAS SURPRISED TO NOTE THE SUDDEN APPEARENCE OF STRUT TOWER CORROSION ON BOTH VEHICLES, PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT TOWERS. IN CONSULTING BOTH THE INTERNET AND MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER, I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S POSITI…
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AS THE OWNER OF TWO CAREFULLY MAINTAINED 1999 CHRYSLER EXTENDED-WHEEL BASE MINIVANS, I WAS SURPRISED TO NOTE THE SUDDEN APPEARENCE OF STRUT TOWER CORROSION ON BOTH VEHICLES, PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT TOWERS. IN CONSULTING BOTH THE INTERNET AND MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER, I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S POSITION ON THIS ISSUE IS TO OFFER ABSOLUTELY NO HELP IN THE FORM OF FREE OR REDUCED-COST REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING AND QUALITY CONTROL, WHICH IF UNDIAGNOSED AND/OR UNCORRECTED MAY CAUSE VEHICLES OF RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE AND MILEAGE TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH POTENTIALLY DISASTEROUS RESULTS. AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN NOT TO HONOR ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT A SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLES OF ITS MANUFACTURE, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT A RECALL ORDER BE ISSUED BY YOUR AGENCY, BEFORE INJURIES OR FATALITIES OCCUR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW OF THIS INFORMATION!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091342
79,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Structure
CAR WAS REPORTED TO (CHRYSLER) TO HAVE RUST AT WELD SEAMS IN VARIOUS PLACES, BUT ONLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE END OR ONLY ONE WEEK OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CHRYSLER SERVICE REP. WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT FROM IMPROPER PAINT / WELD PREP AND COULD CAUSE …
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CAR WAS REPORTED TO (CHRYSLER) TO HAVE RUST AT WELD SEAMS IN VARIOUS PLACES, BUT ONLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE END OR ONLY ONE WEEK OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CHRYSLER SERVICE REP. WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT FROM IMPROPER PAINT / WELD PREP AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT (SHOCK TOWER RUST). THE SHOCK TOWER RUST IS ADMITTED IN A FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT IS NOT A CURRENT RECALL (AS PER FORD'S RECENT RECALL) THAT COULD CAUSE THE STRUT TO PUNCH THROUGH THE SHOCK TOWER AND LODGE INTO THE ENGINE BAY, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT / VEHICLE FIRE. ADDITIONAL AREAS OF RUST EXIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR SLIDER AT THE ROCKER AND AROUND THE REAR WHEEL LIP. VAN IS GARAGE KEPT AND WASHED REGULARLY, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND DOES NOT OPERATE IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. ABSOLUTE POOR WORKMANSHIP HAS LED TO THIS DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082651
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
StructureCrash
SUNVISOR TILTED AND STUCK TO STEERING WHEEL. WAS UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8011157
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
WHILE DRIVING THE CV JOINTS COMPLETELY CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #564240
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineParking BrakeStructure
EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT RELEASE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AFTER USE. WHEEL SKIDDED ABOUT 3 FEET WHEN DRIVER DECIDED TO BACK-UP TO ATTEMPT RELEASE. WHEEL RELEASED WITH A LOUD BANG. OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT LIST CAPACITIES FOR OIL, COOLANT ETC... CALLED CHRYSLER, THEY CLAIM CAPACITIES ARE ON BACK COVER OF MANUAL. CHRYSLER VERIFIED MANU…
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EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT RELEASE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AFTER USE. WHEEL SKIDDED ABOUT 3 FEET WHEN DRIVER DECIDED TO BACK-UP TO ATTEMPT RELEASE. WHEEL RELEASED WITH A LOUD BANG. OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT LIST CAPACITIES FOR OIL, COOLANT ETC... CALLED CHRYSLER, THEY CLAIM CAPACITIES ARE ON BACK COVER OF MANUAL. CHRYSLER VERIFIED MANUAL REAR COVER IS BLANK. CHRYSLER TO COPY 1998 MANUAL BACK AND SEND TO CUSTOMER. CHRYSLER CLAIMS 1998 CAPACITIES ARE UNCHANGED FOR 1999.
NHTSA ODI #704588
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineStructure
DEALER CLAIMS GASKET WAS NOT INSTALLED IN FUEL LINE. GASKET IS NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY, SO ENTIRE TANK ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. DEALER OPTED TO SQUIRT SEALER INTO LINE FOR REPAIR. DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR RATTLES BADLY. DEALER ADJUSTED STRIKER, DOOR GOT WORSE. TECHNICIAN CLAIMS RATTLE IS NORMAL.
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.
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 BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.
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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