NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
173 reports44,900 miles · Sep 27, 2004
Power Train
ON SEPTEMBER 24,2004 MY TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, CAUSING MY CAR TO DRIVE INEFFICIENTLY. IT IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE KNOWN OTHER PEOPLE'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THEIR NEONS. DODGE IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME FOR FIXING IT. THIS IS STILL UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT ARE TRYING GET AROUND…
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ON SEPTEMBER 24,2004 MY TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, CAUSING MY CAR TO DRIVE INEFFICIENTLY. IT IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE KNOWN OTHER PEOPLE'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THEIR NEONS. DODGE IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME FOR FIXING IT. THIS IS STILL UNDER A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT ARE TRYING GET AROUND FIXING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD OTHER EXPERT TELL ME THAT AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT THING ARE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I AM BRINGING IT BACK TO PREMIER DODGE TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 28.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093180
5,000 miles · Sep 20, 2004
Power Train
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092823
15,723 miles · Sep 13, 2004
Seat Belts
WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELTS RETRACTOR BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091883
27,272 miles · Jul 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
JUNE 1, 2004. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE CAR STARTED IDLING REAL ROUGH AND I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYTHING OF IT. I WOULD STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT WOULD IDLE REAL ROUGH. FINALLY THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND THE CAR DIED. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND THEY TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.…
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JUNE 1, 2004. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE CAR STARTED IDLING REAL ROUGH AND I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYTHING OF IT. I WOULD STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT WOULD IDLE REAL ROUGH. FINALLY THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND THE CAR DIED. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND THEY TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. A MONTH LATER ON JULY 2 THE CAR STARTED IDLING REAL ROUGH. I DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER DRIVING IT OUT ON THE STREET CAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD BREAK DOWN ON ME AGAIN. I SHUT IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME IT WOULD IDLE REAL ROUGH. GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WHERE I WAS TOLD ALL THEY COULD FIND IT NEEDED WAS A TUNE UP. I GOT THE TUNE UP DONE TO IT AND EVER SINCE THEN IT HAS A HARD TIME GOING PAST 60 MPH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10082329
30,000 miles · Jun 11, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ENGINE LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A REST STOP. UPON DRIVING UP THE RAMP TO THE REST STOP VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SLUDGE BUILD UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076115
30,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING DOWN I95, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO REST STOP <1 MILE AWAY. CAR DIED ON RAMP. LAST OIL CHANGE 23,000 MILES, CAR HAS 30,000 MILES. REALIZE LATE FOR CHANGE, BUT DEAL SAYS ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. STATES THAT FAILURE TO HAVE DEALER DO MAINTAINAN INVALID W…
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DRIVING DOWN I95, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO REST STOP <1 MILE AWAY. CAR DIED ON RAMP. LAST OIL CHANGE 23,000 MILES, CAR HAS 30,000 MILES. REALIZE LATE FOR CHANGE, BUT DEAL SAYS ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. STATES THAT FAILURE TO HAVE DEALER DO MAINTAINAN INVALID WARRANTY. STATES THAT PROBLEM CAUSED BY NEGLECT. 7000 MILES SINCE LAST CHANGE, WHILE LATE SHOULD NOT BLOW ENGINE. NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075191
20,700 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10071503
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK WAS BEHIND HIM AND HE NEEDED TO GET MORE SPEED, SO HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, THEN IT STALLED. HE KEPT TELLING THE DEALER ABOUT…
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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK WAS BEHIND HIM AND HE NEEDED TO GET MORE SPEED, SO HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, THEN IT STALLED. HE KEPT TELLING THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JUMPED FROM 65-68 MPH BACK AND FORTH. *AK THE POWER TRAIN WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND OR JUMP AND HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO OTHER VEHICLE'S. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE VEHICLE TO BE REMEDIED OR REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10066767
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2002 DODGE NEON. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES, THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AMPLE FLUID AND WEAR LEFT ON THE PADS, MY BRAKES MAKE A HORRENDOUS METALLIC SQUEAL WHEN THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE…
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I OWN A 2002 DODGE NEON. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES, THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AMPLE FLUID AND WEAR LEFT ON THE PADS, MY BRAKES MAKE A HORRENDOUS METALLIC SQUEAL WHEN THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE AIR. NOT ONLY IS THIS EMBARASSING, BUT HOW IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS NOISE AND THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF BRAKES THAT TRULY DO NEED REPLACED. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR THIS REASON? I AM READY TO TRADE IT IN AT A LOSS JUST TO BE DONE WITH IT. WESTGATE AUTO IN PLAINFIELD IS NO HELP. I HAVE HAD BETTER SERVICE AT MY NEARBY MIDAS SHOP. I LIKE THE CAR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THREE PEOPLE I WORK WITH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR NEON, NO MATTER THE YEAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10073074
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON THE 2002 DODGE NEON SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE FRONT BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 7000 MILES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS CAUSING SEVERE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE DURING BRAKING. NOW AGAIN AT 17000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM W…
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THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON THE 2002 DODGE NEON SEEM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE FRONT BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 7000 MILES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS CAUSING SEVERE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE DURING BRAKING. NOW AGAIN AT 17000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXIBITS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD A SEVERE SQUEAL SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED - IT WAS IN THREE SEPERATE TIMES FOR THIS. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM THAT ALL NEONS HAVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY CLEANED THE BREAKS AND SAID THEY WERE FINE. THE THIRD TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REAR SHOES WERE NO GOOD AND THE REAR DRUMS WERE RUINED AND NEEDED REPLACED. (AT 16500 OR SO MILES) I CALLED THE DODGE CORPORATION AND AFTER MANY CALLS THEY OFFERED THE PARTS ON THE REAR FREE BUT WE HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND I FEEL THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS IMPROVED TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPINING. THE VHEICLE IS A 2002 DODGE NEON SXT DRIVEN VERY LITTLE BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, A VERY EASY PERSON ON THE CAR SO THERE IS NO EXCESSIVE DRIVING BY ANY MEANS THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM. REAR DRUMS SHOULD ALMOST NEVER NEED REPLACED, THEY SEEM TO LAST FOREVER ON MOST VEHICLES AND ROTORS DO WARP SOMETIMES BUT NOT TWO SETS IN 17000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN MANY NEONS EXIBIT THE REAR SQUEALING PROBLEM ON THE ROADS SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT JUST THIS CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. BEN HODGES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072996
NHTSA investigations
3EA06019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Nov 22, 2006 · Closed Nov 7, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; 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 RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; 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 RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; 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 RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; 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 RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS EA WAS OPENED AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WOULD FAIL, CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE FOR OTHERS TEMPORARY LIGHTING WAS AVAILABLE BY PULLING ON THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STALK TO ILLUMINATE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW A LOW AND DECLINING FAILURE TREND.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED; 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 RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
PE06028 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 28, 2006 · Closed Nov 22, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ODI HAS REVIEWED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLE.THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT A LOSS OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS THE RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND CONNECTING WIRING HARNESS.CONSUMERSNOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AREA (WHERE THESE PARTS ARE LOCATED) IS HEATING UP.IN SOME CASES, SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE PLASTIC TRIM WOULD BEGIN TO MELT.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-019) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
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