IllustrationOIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE STARVED THE BEARINGS OF OIL. RUINED THE CRANKSHAFT AND THE RODS ON THE ENGINE. ONLY 62,420 MILES ON THE WELL MAINTAINED ENGINE. *JB
1999 Dodge Intrepid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Intrepid years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Intrepid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 377.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Intrepid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
4725–50K
17450–75K
23475–100K
151100–150K
24150K+
655 reports with mileage · 342 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 698 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
39 crash reports13 fire reports26 injury reports
What owners actually said
997 reportsON A TRIP LAST WEEK IT STARTED SKIPPING AND QUIT RUNNING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WE WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. AFTER RUNNING ABOUT 100 MILES IT DID IT AGAIN 4 MORE TIMES. *JB
DRIVING TO HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. I HAD NO BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL ONCE THIS HAPPENED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED ANOTHER ENGINE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PRICE AND IT RANGES FROM 1700 (USED) TO 5499 (REMANUFACTURED AND…
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DRIVING TO HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. I HAD NO BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL ONCE THIS HAPPENED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED ANOTHER ENGINE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PRICE AND IT RANGES FROM 1700 (USED) TO 5499 (REMANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED). *NM
DRIVING ALONG LOOKED OUT REAR VIEW MIRROR BLUE COLORED SMOKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN CAR JUST STALLED. *NM
MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID STOPPED ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND REACHED OVER TO TURN ON MORE HEAT. THE CAR JUST DIED. I COULD NOT GET IT RESTARTED. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND HAD A MECHANIC COME TO THE HOUSE TO LOOK THE CAR OVER. HIS FINDINGS WAS THE WATER PUMP…
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MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID STOPPED ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND REACHED OVER TO TURN ON MORE HEAT. THE CAR JUST DIED. I COULD NOT GET IT RESTARTED. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND HAD A MECHANIC COME TO THE HOUSE TO LOOK THE CAR OVER. HIS FINDINGS WAS THE WATER PUMP WAS GONE AND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS GONE. I HAVE A 2.7 ENGINE IN MY CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK THE PRICE OF REPAIR. THE PERSON ON THE PHONE KNEW BEFORE I SAID WHAT TYPE OF ENGINE, TYPE CAR AND YEAR OF MY CAR. I TOLD HER IT WAS A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ENGINE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE PRODUCT. IN FACT I WILL BE BUYING FOREIGN CARS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANY TYPE OF CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT HAS BEEN FILED OR WILL BE FILED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AN ODOR OF SMOKE WAS NOTICED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, MOVED TO A SAFE DI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AN ODOR OF SMOKE WAS NOTICED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, MOVED TO A SAFE DISTANCE AND CALLED 911. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE CALL AND REPORTS WERE TAKEN BY BOTH DEPARTMENTS. ALSO, PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE.
THE TIMING BELT HAS BROKEN AND THE CAR WON'T START. *JB
BRAKES HISS AND GET HARD WHEN TEMP DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. UNABLE TO STOP. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RUINED DUE TO RUST, BECAUSE WATER RUNS INTO THE AREA FROM WINDSHIELD DRAINAGE POINTS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH ALLOWS LEAKAGE DIRECTLY INTO THE …
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BRAKES HISS AND GET HARD WHEN TEMP DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. UNABLE TO STOP. TOOK TO MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RUINED DUE TO RUST, BECAUSE WATER RUNS INTO THE AREA FROM WINDSHIELD DRAINAGE POINTS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH ALLOWS LEAKAGE DIRECTLY INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER AREA. CAR IS NOW IN SHOP TO HAVE BOTH PARTS REPLACED ( ~$500-600). CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THESE REPAIRS AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. ALTHOUGH THE PARTS WILL BE REPLACED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE HOW LONG BEFORE THEY WILL BE RUSTED OUT AND FAIL AGAIN. *JB
DEC 1, 2006 - MILEAGE: UNDER 78K - PROBLEM: IT WAS TIME FOR ROUTINE TUNE UP ON MY CAR, ONCE I POPPED THE HOOD I WENT DIRECTLY FOR THE OIL TANK/ENGINE FIRST THING. PCV VALVE NEEDED REPLACING, UPON TAKING SAID VALVE OFF I NOTICED A LOT OF HEAVY GUNK OR "SLUDGE" IF YOU WILL. PUT ON BRAND NEW PCV VALVE KIT BOUGHT FROM MOPAR AND C…
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DEC 1, 2006 - MILEAGE: UNDER 78K - PROBLEM: IT WAS TIME FOR ROUTINE TUNE UP ON MY CAR, ONCE I POPPED THE HOOD I WENT DIRECTLY FOR THE OIL TANK/ENGINE FIRST THING. PCV VALVE NEEDED REPLACING, UPON TAKING SAID VALVE OFF I NOTICED A LOT OF HEAVY GUNK OR "SLUDGE" IF YOU WILL. PUT ON BRAND NEW PCV VALVE KIT BOUGHT FROM MOPAR AND CONTINUED ON WITH THE REST OF THE TUNE-UP. THINKING BACK TO ALL THE SLUDGE I FOUND ON THE OLD PCV VALVE I BEGAN TO REALLY WONDER AS THIS AMOUNT OF SLUDGE WAS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR THAT'S KEPT UP WITH EXACTLY HOW THE OWNERS MANUAL DICTATES. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THAT "OIL SLUDGE" IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE INTREPID 2.7L ENGINE AND POSSIBLE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SAID PROBLEM INCLUDED: "HEAVY AMOUNTS OF SLUDGE FOUND ON PCV VALVES, SLIGHTLY NOTICEABLE GREY/BLUE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST AND OVER ALL DIMINISHING PERFORMANCE" ALL OF WHICH MY CAR HAS/IS SHOWING SIGNS OF. FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ AND ALL "SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR" I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS ENGINE IS MORE THEN LIKELY READY TO BLOW IF NOT THIS YEAR THEN EARLY NEXT YEAR. FROM THE SAME AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ON THIS ENGINE I REALLY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHRYSLERS RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AS IT DOES POSE A VERY SERIOUS, HIGHLY DANGEROUS THREAT AS THE MOTOR WILL STOP AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WITH NO WARNING AND NO IMMEDIATE NOTICEABLE CAUSE. IT'S NOT FAIR ONCE THIS FAULTY ENGINE DIES THAT THE CONSUMER GETS SLAPPED WITH THE REPAIR BILL! *NM
THERE WERE EVENTS OR WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. WE ALMOST WRECK TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE COLD, UNTIL MY MOM COULD GET THERE TO PICK US UP. AFTER …
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THERE WERE EVENTS OR WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. WE ALMOST WRECK TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE COLD, UNTIL MY MOM COULD GET THERE TO PICK US UP. AFTER I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY PROBLEM I WAS IN TEARS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO BUILD UP OF SLUDGE, AND YET I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $4000-8000 TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A VERY SMALL INCOME FROM A PART TIME JOB, ATTEND COLLEGE FULL TIME, AND AM TRYING TO RAISE MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BY MYSELF. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO FIX THIS CAR, NOR DO I WANT TO SO IT CAN DO IT AGAIN SO THAT THE EXACT SAME THING CAN HAPPENED A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER WITH JUNK MOTORS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, SO MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE ON FOOT. THIS INFURIATES ME, BECAUSE THE MONEY GREEDY PEOPLE AT DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD NOT ADHERE TO THE REPEATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO RECALL THESE MOTORS. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT THEY CAN ACT SO RECKLESSLY AND PUT THE LIVES OF MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE INTENTIONALLY IN HARMS WAYS BY IGNORING YOU, ME, AND THE THOUSANDS LIKE US. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR JUNK MOTORS AS WELL AS SOME RESTITUTION FOR THE SERIOUS FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HARDSHIPS THEY HAVE INTENTIONALLY INFLICTED UPON US. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCT NOR WILL I ALLOW ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GET EVERYONE TO BOYCOTT THEM, AND PLASTER THE LINKS TO THESE WEBSITES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. THEY DESERVE TO BE WARNED AT THE CATASTROPHES THAT LIE IN THEIR FUTURE. IF WE GET A LAWSUIT PLEASE LET ME BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO KNOW. I WISH EVERYONE OF MY FELLOW VICTIMS THE BEST OF LUCK WITH THIS NIGHTMARE. *JB
Official recalls
404V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Jan 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.
03V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
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.
01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
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.
00V034000 · Seat Belts
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.