Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 554 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 335 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports36 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
554 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1999
Electrical SystemSteering
THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED TWICE. I HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER OF A BUZZING AND/OR GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN AT LEAST 2 OTHER TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AM GOING TO TAKE IT IN THIS THURSDAY (10/21/99) AGAIN FOR THE SAME BUZZING NOISE. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN IT IS THERE F…
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THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED TWICE. I HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER OF A BUZZING AND/OR GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN AT LEAST 2 OTHER TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AM GOING TO TAKE IT IN THIS THURSDAY (10/21/99) AGAIN FOR THE SAME BUZZING NOISE. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN IT IS THERE FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 DAYS IF NOT LONGER. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN NOISE. THIS THURSDAY I WILL ALSO TAKE IT IN FOR SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE - THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES NOT START ON ME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #713538
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850969
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SUDDENLY LEAKS OIL AFTER DRIVING ONLY 5 MILES ON HIGHWAY...STRONG ODOR OF OIL FROM ENGINE...HAD TO REPLACE ONE AND ONE HALF QUARTS...GARAGE MECHANIC WARNED OF POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE IF NOT FIXED...REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER, CITING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 96V006000 FOR REFERENCE AS IT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM EXACTLY. WAS INFORME…
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ENGINE SUDDENLY LEAKS OIL AFTER DRIVING ONLY 5 MILES ON HIGHWAY...STRONG ODOR OF OIL FROM ENGINE...HAD TO REPLACE ONE AND ONE HALF QUARTS...GARAGE MECHANIC WARNED OF POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE IF NOT FIXED...REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER, CITING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 96V006000 FOR REFERENCE AS IT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM EXACTLY. WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALL BY THAT NUMBER....HAVE PULLED MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINT REPORTS ABOUT VEHICLE WHICH CITE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING.....CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS...
NHTSA ODI #713305
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR IS PRESENTLY AT CROWN DODGE@ PHONE # IS 281-556-6400 ROBERT
NHTSA ODI #713275
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MODULE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850172
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER, CONSUMER HAS HAD IT REPLACED ONCE, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850134
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & IT STARTED LEAKING OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC LEAK CAME FROM TOP OF ENGINE TO WIRES. HAD IT REPAIRED. STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHEN ENGINE BLEW OUT. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT ENGINE HEAD GALLEY PLUG BLEW OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF …
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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & IT STARTED LEAKING OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC LEAK CAME FROM TOP OF ENGINE TO WIRES. HAD IT REPAIRED. STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHEN ENGINE BLEW OUT. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT ENGINE HEAD GALLEY PLUG BLEW OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF OIL. NEEDED TO REPLACE ENGINE HEAD GALLEY PLUGS & HEAD GASKETS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850042
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING OIL LEAK
NHTSA ODI #712886
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 45 TO 50MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849984
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT CERRITOS DODGE, 18827 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA 90703, PHONE 562-402-5335, SERVICE 562-924-8275. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS "BLOWN" AND LEAKING "BADLY" OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE DESIGNED IN…
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THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT CERRITOS DODGE, 18827 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA 90703, PHONE 562-402-5335, SERVICE 562-924-8275. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS "BLOWN" AND LEAKING "BADLY" OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE DESIGNED IN HAED GASKET FROM DODGE WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE APPLICATION, AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT GASKET WAS APPROPRIATELLY THICKER WITH METAL LINING AS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND FIRE HAZARD, THE 1996 DODGE STRATUS WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR PART REPLACEMENT AND ADDITIONAL SERVICE NEEDED AFTER THIS PROCEDURE IS ESTIMATED TO BE $750 TO $1000.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
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
3
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.
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.
EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.
1996 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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