IllustrationAFTER FUELING VEHICLE, CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PARKED VEHICLE, AND SAW FUEL GUSHING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER , FUEL FILTER HAD EXPLODED, LEAKING FUEL ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM.*AK *SLC
1997 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Stratus years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Stratus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 168.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Stratus 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
Limited mileage data: 48 of 349 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 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports32 fire reports20 injury reports
What owners actually said
349 reportsTHE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION, HOWEVER UPON LEAVING DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A SERVICE MANAGER THAT PART WAS UNDER RECALL(#750) THE SERVICE MANAGE ADVISED CONSUMER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM CHRYSLER, CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS KNOW TO BE …
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THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION, HOWEVER UPON LEAVING DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A SERVICE MANAGER THAT PART WAS UNDER RECALL(#750) THE SERVICE MANAGE ADVISED CONSUMER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM CHRYSLER, CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS KNOW TO BE DEFECTIVE AND TO SEND IN ALL DOCUMENTATION, CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT HE HAD NOT MET THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL, CONSUMER STATES HE COMPLIED THE WITH CONTROL ARMS INSPECTION PER RECALL ON DEC 15, 1998 BUT AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE PROBLEM.*JB
I HAVE AN EVENFLO MEDALLION V CONVERTABLE CAR SEAT, MODEL# 254191P2, MANUFACTURED 1/25/00. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS A PLASTIC HARNESS TIE THAT GOES ACROSS THE CHEST THAT THE SHOULDAR STRAPS SLIDE INTO. MY SON CAN VERY EASILY SLIDE IT OFF AND GET OUT OF THE STRAPS. I HAVE CALLED EVENFLO 9/11/01 AND SPOKE TO JENNY REQUESTING THEY…
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I HAVE AN EVENFLO MEDALLION V CONVERTABLE CAR SEAT, MODEL# 254191P2, MANUFACTURED 1/25/00. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS A PLASTIC HARNESS TIE THAT GOES ACROSS THE CHEST THAT THE SHOULDAR STRAPS SLIDE INTO. MY SON CAN VERY EASILY SLIDE IT OFF AND GET OUT OF THE STRAPS. I HAVE CALLED EVENFLO 9/11/01 AND SPOKE TO JENNY REQUESTING THEY SEND ME SOMETHING THAT SNAPS TOGETHER TO REPLACE IT. SHE TOLD ME THEY DO NOT MAKE ONE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL (EVEN THOUGH IT IS THEIR TOP OF THE LINE MODEL, ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE)BUT SHE CAN SEND ME A NEW PLASTIC CLIP SO IT WILL TAKE HIM LONGER TO GET IT OFF. I'M SORRY BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, THEY MAKE THEM FOR SOME MODELS, BUT NOT ALL. I PAID OVER $100.00 FOR THIS SEAT AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IT WILL NOT PROTECT MY SON IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THIS COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ALL OF THEIR CONSUMERS, ONLY THOSE THAT BUY PARTICULAR MODELS. I AM ASKING YOU TO FIND OUT WHY!!! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL, WRITE OR E-MAIL ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY RECALL #750. THE REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALER AND PAID FOR BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $633.00 COST AND THE $49.95 PLUS 8% SALES TA…
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BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY RECALL #750. THE REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALER AND PAID FOR BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $633.00 COST AND THE $49.95 PLUS 8% SALES TAX WITH NO LUCK. REQUEST WAS DENIED FOR THE REASON THAT "ALTHOUGH THE RECALLED PARTS FAILED THEY DIDN'T FAIL FOR THE RECALL REASON." CONSUMER WAS ALSO NOT GIVEN THE OLD PARTS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION. *AK DAIMLER CHRYSLER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT STATING THAT THIS CASE FELL INTO GENERAL MAINTENANCE. *SLC
VEHICLE DEVELOPED OIL LEAK. DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET LEAK. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. THERE SEEMS TO BE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE YET THE MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO BE IGNORING THE PROB LEM (APPARENT DESIGN/MANUFACTURER FLAW). WHY IS CHRYSLER CORP. NOT BEING FORCED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? …
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VEHICLE DEVELOPED OIL LEAK. DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET LEAK. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. THERE SEEMS TO BE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE YET THE MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO BE IGNORING THE PROB LEM (APPARENT DESIGN/MANUFACTURER FLAW). WHY IS CHRYSLER CORP. NOT BEING FORCED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? IF THEIR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF WE DONT CARE,WHICH IS WHAT I HEAR BY READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEAD GAS KETS AND THEIR FAILURE TO COVER THE REPAIR, MAYBE THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BOYCOTT TH EIR PRODUCTS. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS. QUAL ITY SEEMS TO BE A THING OF THE PAST WITH THEM. I JUST HOPE THAT ONE DAY MANAGEME NTS FAMILY MEMBERS GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IN ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS LIKE THE I DID. MAYBE THEYLL START CARING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AND KEEP TH EM IN BUSINESS. I CAN ONLY HOPE. *AK
ENGINE DEVELOPED SERIOUS OIL LEAK. REFERRED TO DEALER. ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THAT CAMSHAFT OIL SEAL FAILED. ADVISED THAT ENGINE IS MAKING SOUND INDICITIVE OF INTERNAL COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALER INSISTS HEAD GASKET AND CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL AND OTHER DAMAGE UNRELATED. CURRENTLY AWAITING ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, POSSIBLE C…
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ENGINE DEVELOPED SERIOUS OIL LEAK. REFERRED TO DEALER. ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THAT CAMSHAFT OIL SEAL FAILED. ADVISED THAT ENGINE IS MAKING SOUND INDICITIVE OF INTERNAL COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALER INSISTS HEAD GASKET AND CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL AND OTHER DAMAGE UNRELATED. CURRENTLY AWAITING ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, POSSIBLE COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH VEHICLE STALLED OUT. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE. WAS RESTARTED AT GARAGE AND TEST DRIVEN. NOTHING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, MUCH LATER PROBLEM REAPPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*AK *SLC
THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 1997, IT HAD AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH WHILE IN DRIVE AND WILL STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WE HAD THE MAP & THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED AT THAT TIME. WE HAVE HAD RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS SINCE THEN, UNTIL THIS PAST MAY WHEN WE REPLACED THEM FOR A SECOND TIM…
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THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 1997, IT HAD AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH WHILE IN DRIVE AND WILL STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WE HAD THE MAP & THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED AT THAT TIME. WE HAVE HAD RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS SINCE THEN, UNTIL THIS PAST MAY WHEN WE REPLACED THEM FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE STILL STALLED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. WE ONCE AGAIN PROCEEDED WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REFLECTS THERE IS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSTIC CONTINUALLY NOTES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSORS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE STRATUS, YET DODGE IS RELUCTANT TO RECALL THE PART(S) INVOLVED. FOR EXAMPLE, THREE OTHER DODGE STRATUS/PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES WERE BROUGHT IN TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP DURING THE SAME WEEK OUR STRATUS WAS BEING REPAIRED. WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING AT THE MOST IN OPPORTUNE TIMES ( IN THE MIDDLE OF LEFT HAND TURNS IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS, ETC...*AK
HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 60,000 MILES. BALL JOINT REPLACED./ REAR OIL SEAL REPLACED.*AK
HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ONCE AT THE DEALER. THE NEXT TIME I NOTICED THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING, WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. THEREFORE DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF A RECURRING HEAD GASKET FAILURE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THANK YOU FOR LETTING OUR VOICE BE HEARD!*AK
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.
98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
Aug 6, 1998
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.
97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Nov 13, 1997
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.
97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
Jun 6, 1997
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.
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
3EA03011 · 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.