NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
59 reportsClear category filter115,000 miles · Sep 26, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 1999 DODGE INTREPID WHEN THE CAR LOCKED, INCLUDING THE STEERING AND THE ENGINE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND WITH THIS CAR. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HE REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR P…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 1999 DODGE INTREPID WHEN THE CAR LOCKED, INCLUDING THE STEERING AND THE ENGINE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND WITH THIS CAR. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HE REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THERE WERE NO NOISES OR ANY WARNING. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE EXPIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10137652
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2005
Steering
MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WITH CLUNCKING, STICKING AND PLAY IN THE STEERING. ON 7/22/2005 THE STEERING STUCK SO BAD THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AND ENDED UP IN THE LANE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WHICH I HAVE RESEARCH IS A MAJOR FALIURE IN THE DODGE INTREPID A…
Read full complaint
MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WITH CLUNCKING, STICKING AND PLAY IN THE STEERING. ON 7/22/2005 THE STEERING STUCK SO BAD THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AND ENDED UP IN THE LANE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WHICH I HAVE RESEARCH IS A MAJOR FALIURE IN THE DODGE INTREPID AND A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10129832
37,820 miles · Jun 1, 2005
Steering
WHILE OPERATING MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID W.BOUND ON A CITY STREET IN PHILADELPHIA I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STUCK FORCING ME INTO THE NORTH BOUND LANE. I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. FORTUNATLEY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN THAT NORTH BOUND LANES OR I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE B…
Read full complaint
WHILE OPERATING MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID W.BOUND ON A CITY STREET IN PHILADELPHIA I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STUCK FORCING ME INTO THE NORTH BOUND LANE. I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. FORTUNATLEY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN THAT NORTH BOUND LANES OR I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHSED THE VEHICLE FROM, SINCE THE CAR HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. SINCE I AM RETIRED AND COULD NOT YET AFFORD TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED IT IS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE WHO WAS IN THE AUTO AT THE TIME, REFUSES TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10123829
58,000 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Steering
AS OF 02/18/2005 I STARTED TO FEEL A SLIGHT BINDING IN THE STEERING WHEN TRYING TO RETURN WHEEL TO CENTER FROM A TURN. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I OCCASIONALLY HAD TO "WRESTLE" THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. IT ALSO FEELS LOOSE, SUSPENSION RATTLES AND I'VE GOT 4 INCHES OF PLAY AT CENTER. I TO…
Read full complaint
AS OF 02/18/2005 I STARTED TO FEEL A SLIGHT BINDING IN THE STEERING WHEN TRYING TO RETURN WHEEL TO CENTER FROM A TURN. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I OCCASIONALLY HAD TO "WRESTLE" THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. IT ALSO FEELS LOOSE, SUSPENSION RATTLES AND I'VE GOT 4 INCHES OF PLAY AT CENTER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1300 TO FIX. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN ALL OF THE YEARS I'VE OWNED CARS AND THINK THIS IS JUST A POOR DESIGN THAT CHRYSLER IS KEEPING MUTE ABOUT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BABYED IT EVER SINCE. IT HAS LESS THAT 60,000 MILES ON IT; I'VE OWN OTHER MANUFACTURERS THAT HAVE LASTED FOR A LOT LONGER. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR THAT HAS BEEN AS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS. IIF CHRYSLER FAILS TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM IT WILL BE THE LAST TIME THEY GET MY BUSINESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114753
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2005
SteeringTires
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING RIGHT THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE STEERING AND THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER PROVID…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING RIGHT THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE STEERING AND THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING ROD WAS BENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10108765
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN POWER STEERING FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IDLER PULLEY BEARING DETERIORATED AND STEERING PUMP FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092121
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT THEN THE ENGINE SEIZED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10065865
80,000 miles · Jan 30, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS RACK AND PINION. *AK THE REPLACEMENT OF PRESSURE HOSE AND PUMP DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10057216
84,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
IN THE FALL OF 2001, WE BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM CONTINENTAL AUTO MALL. IT IS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. A SERVICE AGREEMENT ON THE CAR WAS ALSO PURCHASED. THE FOLLOWING HAS THEREAFTER TAKEN PLACE: THE TIMING CHAIN IDLER BROKE IN MARCH OF 2002. CONTINENTAL FIXED THE CAR UNDER SERVICE AGREEMENT. 67 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED …
Read full complaint
IN THE FALL OF 2001, WE BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM CONTINENTAL AUTO MALL. IT IS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. A SERVICE AGREEMENT ON THE CAR WAS ALSO PURCHASED. THE FOLLOWING HAS THEREAFTER TAKEN PLACE: THE TIMING CHAIN IDLER BROKE IN MARCH OF 2002. CONTINENTAL FIXED THE CAR UNDER SERVICE AGREEMENT. 67 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED WITH MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE 7 MILES FROM HOME. IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO CONTINENTAL AUTO MALL. WE ASKED WHAT HAPPENED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE OIL PUMP SCREEN WAS PLUGGED UP. WE ASKED FROM WHAT AND THEY SAID FROM THE FIBERS FROM THE TIMING CHAIN IDLER. FROM MY FATHER'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN MECHANIC WORK, THE OIL PUMP SCREEN BEING CLOGGED FROM FIBERS FROM THE CHAIN IDLER MEANT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT FLUSHED. SO FOR 67 MILES AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPAIRED, THESE FIBERS WERE GOING THROUGH THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY CLOGGING THE OIL PUMP SCREEN. THE OIL PRESSURE MUST HAVE BECOME SO LOW THAT A SAFETY SWITCH SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SAFETY SWITCH SHUT THE ENGINE OFF SO THAT THE LOW PRESSURE WOULDN?T FURTHER DAMAGE THE ENGINE. REPAIRS WERE AGAIN MADE BY CONTINENTALS SHOP. UNTIL THESE TWO INCIDENTS, WE WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR. AFTER WE GOT THE CAR BACK AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THIS IS WHAT WE NOTICED: 1. THE ENGINE DIDN?T SEEM AS QUIET WHEN RUNNING. 2. IT NEEDED A QUART OF OIL THE FIRST WEEK. 3. BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WE HAD TO ADD OIL 2-3 TIMES. BEFORE IT HAD NEVER USED ANY OIL. OTHER THAN ADDING OIL, WE DIDN?T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE POWER STEERING BELT IDLER BROKE THE 2ND WEEK IN AUGUST OF 2003. OUR MECHANIC, JOHN RICKMAN OF JOHN?S AUTO IN GIRARD, SHOWED US THE BRACKET FROM THE IDLER. THE BRACKET IS A FIVE-BOLT BRACKET, WHICH HAD ONLY TWO BOLTS IN IT, AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THOSE TWO BOLTS HAVE BEEN WORKING. ON AUGUST 20, 2003, I PARKED THE CAR AT A FLOWER SHOP IN GIRARD. I CAME BACK TO THE CAR TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN?T START.
NHTSA ODI #10070998
36,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
SteeringCrash
MY NAME IS [XXX], THE FOUNDER OF THIS WEBSITE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED RIDICULOUS PREMATURE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND STEERING PROBLEMS WITH A LOW MILEAGE '99 DODGE INTREPID AND EXPERIENCED STEERING, TRANSMISSION, ABS PROBLEMS AND OTHER ISSUES WITH A BRAND NEW 2002 DODGE INTREPID. YOU WILL FIND MY PERSONAL STORY OF THE NIGHTMARE I…
Read full complaint
MY NAME IS [XXX], THE FOUNDER OF THIS WEBSITE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED RIDICULOUS PREMATURE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND STEERING PROBLEMS WITH A LOW MILEAGE '99 DODGE INTREPID AND EXPERIENCED STEERING, TRANSMISSION, ABS PROBLEMS AND OTHER ISSUES WITH A BRAND NEW 2002 DODGE INTREPID. YOU WILL FIND MY PERSONAL STORY OF THE NIGHTMARE I HAD WITH BOTH VEHICLES, PICTURES AND THE STORY OF MY '99 ACCIDENT AFTER SUDDEN POOR STEERING CONTROL AND MORE. SINCERELY, [XXX] EMAIL: MYCHRYSLERTOO@DAIMLERCHRYSLERVEHICLEPROBLEMS.COM WEBSITE: WWW.DAIMLERCHRYSLERVEHICLEPROBLEMS.COM ADDRESS: PO BOX 2021, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10070182
Official recalls
4Jan 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. 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.
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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.
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
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
2EA03011 · 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.
PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.