NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
75 reportsClear category filter175,000 miles · Jan 31, 2010
SteeringSuspension
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN ITSELF WHEN DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS LEAD TO US TAKING IT TO A TIRE SHOP AND WE WERE TOLD THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION AND THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIRE ROD WERE GONE OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE LOSS O…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN ITSELF WHEN DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS LEAD TO US TAKING IT TO A TIRE SHOP AND WE WERE TOLD THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION AND THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIRE ROD WERE GONE OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS SO BAD ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE BUSHINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. WE ALMOST LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE TWICE BEFORE WE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE EXTREME PULL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS AND THE TIRE ROD BUSHINGS AND TIGHTENED THE TIRE ROD BOLTS. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION FOR US AND WE WERE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILD. THIS WAS ALSO A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303429
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2008
SteeringCrash
TIE ROD BUSHING BOLT AT THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT IN THE SUBJECT VERHICLE (1994 DODGE INTREPID) ES ON RIGHT FRONT INTER BUSHING BOLT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246568
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2008
Steering
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID AND I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION BECAUSE MY STEERING WAS TIGHT. I REPLACED IT BUT THE CAR IS STILL MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE AT A RED LIGHT. IT IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243808
170,286 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID ES, THE VEHICLE IS GOING INTO GEAR AND POPPING OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242507
170,000 miles · Nov 12, 2006
Air BagsSteeringCrash
WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND, TOTAL FAILURE, NO STEERING CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO A CONCRETE BARACAD ON THE FREEWAY AND TOTALED THE CAR. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO WORK. I HAVE STORED THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED …
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WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND, TOTAL FAILURE, NO STEERING CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO A CONCRETE BARACAD ON THE FREEWAY AND TOTALED THE CAR. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO WORK. I HAVE STORED THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I WILL KEEP IT IN STORAGE FOR A SHORT TIME IN CASE YOU WANT TO INSPECT IT. IT APPEARS BASED ON AN EXTERNAL VISUAL ONLY INSPECTION THAT COMPONENTS IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. I HAVE TAKEN SOME DIGITAL PHOTOS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10173300
70,000 miles · Dec 3, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
BOUGHT CAR IN 2001, WITH 69,000 MILES. 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, GAUGES STOPPED WORKING, CAR RAN FINE, NO NOISE, ETC. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING PAST DEALER, STOPPED AND THEY CHECKED FOR CODES, NONE FOUND. HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER HAD CODE FOR AIRBAG MODULE THIS TIME, REPLACED PART. PROBL…
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BOUGHT CAR IN 2001, WITH 69,000 MILES. 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, GAUGES STOPPED WORKING, CAR RAN FINE, NO NOISE, ETC. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING PAST DEALER, STOPPED AND THEY CHECKED FOR CODES, NONE FOUND. HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER HAD CODE FOR AIRBAG MODULE THIS TIME, REPLACED PART. PROBLEM IS STILL INTERMITTENT. 2003, DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED, NO RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. ALSO HAD BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 72,000. THEY WERE DONE AT 55,000 ALSO. REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS 2004 AT 97,000. THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED A WEEK BEFORE PURCHASE AT 68,500. PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER WARPED, I FEAR IT MAY FAIL IN ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144387
60,000 miles · Mar 10, 2005
Power TrainSteering
MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THE 42LE MOPAR TRANSMISSION. IN THIS CASE, A 94 DODGE INTREPID ES. FAILED AT INTERVALS OF 60,000 MILES. DODGE DENIES ANY DEFECT. *AK ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE TIE RODS AND OTHER LINKAGES TOTALED $700+ IN REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #10113892
144,000 miles · Apr 7, 2004
Steering
WHEN REACHING 45 MPH OR HIGHER TIE ROD ENDS SHOOK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066752
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2003
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NLM IN ADDITION, STEERING JERKED AND SWAYED WHILE DRIVING. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10019320
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Steering
THE RACK AND PINION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *DT *JB
NHTSA ODI #10004383
NHTSA investigations
14DP04007 · Fuel Rail, Brake Fluid, Chassis
Opened Oct 13, 2004 · Closed Oct 27, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Structure:frame And Members
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Structure:frame And Members
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
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.
EA99031 · Steering System Rack And Pinion
Opened Oct 29, 1999 · Closed Sep 13, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE99044 · Steering System Rack And Pinion
Opened Jun 28, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS.DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN.THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.
EA98025 · Engine Cradle/control Arm Bracket Weld
Opened Dec 31, 1998 · Closed Aug 19, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
RQ98018 · Fuel Injection Delivery System Fuel Leak
Opened Oct 7, 1998 · Closed Jul 8, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
No summary supplied.
PE98044 · Engine Cradle/control Arm Bracket Weld
Opened Aug 11, 1998 · Closed Dec 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WELD FAILS OR CRACKS CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL
PE98022 · Rear Suspension Trailing Arm/bolt
Opened Apr 14, 1998 · Closed Aug 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING AND/OR ITS ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY FAIL, POSING A RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE OPERATION
EA98007 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage
Opened Mar 10, 1998 · Closed Feb 1, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
NITRILE RUBBER SEALS USED IN THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AT THE SUPPLY, RETURN, AND CROSSOVER TUBE FITTINGS, AND AT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR FAIL, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.ALSO, THE OUTLET (RIGHT) FUEL RAIL MAY LEAK FROM CRACKS AT CERTAIN MOLD GATES IN THE THERMOSET RAIL MATERIAL.CHRYSLER WILL RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND STATED THAT IT INTENDS TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS WITH FLUOROCARBON O-RING HAVING GREATER HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY AND ATTACH REINFORCEMENTS TO THE RAIL IN THE AREAS WHERE THE CRACKING CONCERN HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY.RAILS THAT ARE ALREADY CRACKED WILL BE REPLACED BY NEW, REINFORCED RAILS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NITRILE RUBBER SEALS USED IN THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AT THE SUPPLY, RETURN, AND CROSSOVER TUBE FITTINGS, AND AT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR FAIL, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.ALSO, THE OUTLET (RIGHT) FUEL RAIL MAY LEAK FROM CRACKS AT CERTAIN MOLD GATES IN THE THERMOSET RAIL MATERIAL.CHRYSLER WILL RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND STATED THAT IT INTENDS TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS WITH FLUOROCARBON O-RING HAVING GREATER HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY AND ATTACH REINFORCEMENTS TO THE RAIL IN THE AREAS WHERE THE CRACKING CONCERN HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY.RAILS THAT ARE ALREADY CRACKED WILL BE REPLACED BY NEW, REINFORCED RAILS.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
NITRILE RUBBER SEALS USED IN THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AT THE SUPPLY, RETURN, AND CROSSOVER TUBE FITTINGS, AND AT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR FAIL, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.ALSO, THE OUTLET (RIGHT) FUEL RAIL MAY LEAK FROM CRACKS AT CERTAIN MOLD GATES IN THE THERMOSET RAIL MATERIAL.CHRYSLER WILL RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND STATED THAT IT INTENDS TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS WITH FLUOROCARBON O-RING HAVING GREATER HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY AND ATTACH REINFORCEMENTS TO THE RAIL IN THE AREAS WHERE THE CRACKING CONCERN HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY.RAILS THAT ARE ALREADY CRACKED WILL BE REPLACED BY NEW, REINFORCED RAILS.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
NITRILE RUBBER SEALS USED IN THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AT THE SUPPLY, RETURN, AND CROSSOVER TUBE FITTINGS, AND AT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR FAIL, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.ALSO, THE OUTLET (RIGHT) FUEL RAIL MAY LEAK FROM CRACKS AT CERTAIN MOLD GATES IN THE THERMOSET RAIL MATERIAL.CHRYSLER WILL RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND STATED THAT IT INTENDS TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS WITH FLUOROCARBON O-RING HAVING GREATER HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY AND ATTACH REINFORCEMENTS TO THE RAIL IN THE AREAS WHERE THE CRACKING CONCERN HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY.RAILS THAT ARE ALREADY CRACKED WILL BE REPLACED BY NEW, REINFORCED RAILS.
EA95028 · Underhood Fuel Leaks
Opened Sep 22, 1995 · Closed Feb 24, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE 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.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WAARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.
EA95023 · Water In Defroster System
Opened Aug 31, 1995 · Closed Dec 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT (EA95-023)
EA94040 · Truck Lid Support Failure
Opened Nov 30, 1994 · Closed May 17, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94056 · Trunk Lid Support Failure
Opened Jul 26, 1994 · Closed Nov 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available