IllustrationI HAVE CONTACT CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM AND THEY ARE UNRESPONSIVE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
1998 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Stratus do not stand out strongly from 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: 67 of 272 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 121 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports17 fire reports16 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
121 reportsOIL WAS LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKETS, CAUSE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL, I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG. AFTER CALLING SEVERAL PLACES TO GET ESTIMATES I FOUND THAT EVERY MACHANIC WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND THE COST…
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MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL, I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG. AFTER CALLING SEVERAL PLACES TO GET ESTIMATES I FOUND THAT EVERY MACHANIC WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFFORD. ALSO, SINCE I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN LEAKING I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM.*AK
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL, LEAK IS EXTREMELY BAD. VEHICLE HAS TO BE REFILLED WITH TWO QUARTS OF OIL EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
THE HEAD GASKETS FAIL ON THESE CARS PRE-MATURELY AND OIL LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE SPRAYING OIL MIST ONTO THE CATALITIC CONVERTER WICH COULD IN TURN START THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE CALLED THE DAIMLER-CHRYSLER RECALL LINE AND THEY HAVE NO INTENTION ON MAKING THIS PROBLEM CORRECT…
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THE HEAD GASKETS FAIL ON THESE CARS PRE-MATURELY AND OIL LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE SPRAYING OIL MIST ONTO THE CATALITIC CONVERTER WICH COULD IN TURN START THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE CALLED THE DAIMLER-CHRYSLER RECALL LINE AND THEY HAVE NO INTENTION ON MAKING THIS PROBLEM CORRECT FOR THE CONSUMER. ESTIMATES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET HAVE RANGED BETWEEN 700 AND 800 DOLLARS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MATERIAL/WORKMANSHIP THAT NEVER HAPPENS TO CARS NORMALLY AND A FIRE HAZARD FROM THE OIL MIST CONTACTING THE VERY HOT CATALITIC CONVERTER. PLEASE HELP US. *AK
EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER REPLACING THE HEADGASKET TWICE, THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT THE OIL LEAK IS DUE TO A POSSIBLY WARPED CYLINDER HEAD. SO FAR THE BEST CHRYSLER HAS DONE IS PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST.*AK
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED, PLUS THERE IS MUCH MORE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE LISTED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A HEATER CORE FAILURE, BRAKES REPLACED ALREADY TWICE ON THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT (PASSENGER), THE TIM…
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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED, PLUS THERE IS MUCH MORE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE LISTED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A HEATER CORE FAILURE, BRAKES REPLACED ALREADY TWICE ON THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT (PASSENGER), THE TIMING CHAIN IS A MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR THAT I JUST HAD DOWN. NOW I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE RESIDULE PRODBLEM WITH MY HEATING/DEFROST SINCE K & M REPLACED MY WATER PUMP ON 10/17/01. OVERALL I CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE A REAL PIECE OF CRAP AND I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER STRATUS AND IN FACT, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE EVER. I FEEL I HAVE STUNG WITH A LEMON AND BASICALLY I NO LEGAL RECOURSE WHICH IS VERY UNFAIR TO ME, THE CONSUMER. I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS PIECE OF CRAP. IF NOTHING ELSE, I HOPE TO WARN ANYBODY ELSE, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK AHEAD OF TIME AND DON'T BUY A DODGE STRATUS. ANY ASSISTANCE NHTSA MIGHT OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I CAN PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION AND DETAIL THAT YOU REQUIRE. THANK YOU.
I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DODGE "APPARENTLY" HAS A SERVICE BULLITEN OUT ON EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, BUT IT'S HARD TO GET DEALERS TO LOOK INTO IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
HEAD GASKETS FAIL ON CHRYSLER 2.4 LITER ENGINES LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REDISIGNED SEE SERVICE BULLETIN # 090598 MY OIL WAS LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKET AND BLOWING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD POSING A FIRE RISK DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET HOWEVER DIDNT COVER THE ENTIRE CHARGES. *AK
AT APPROXIMATLY 49,500 MILES ON MY 1998 DODGE STRATUS I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK WHILE DOING AN OIL CHANGE. I KEPT A WATCH ON THIS AND DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THIS TIME I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE HEAD GASKET ON TH…
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AT APPROXIMATLY 49,500 MILES ON MY 1998 DODGE STRATUS I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK WHILE DOING AN OIL CHANGE. I KEPT A WATCH ON THIS AND DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THIS TIME I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE HEAD GASKET ON THIS MODEL AND ENGINE SIZE. I THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $600.00 OR MORE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. I THEN DID MORE RESEARCH INTO THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS AN EXCESSIVLY HIGH INCIDENT OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILING ON THIS MODEL IN BOTH THE 1997 AND 1998 YEARS, AND WHEN QUESTIONING PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA FOUND OUT THAT NEARLY EVERY PERSON THAT HAS PURCHASED THIS MODEL AND ENGINE COMBINATION HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND MOST OF THEM WITH AROUND 50,000 MILES. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN AND COMMEN MANUFACTURER PROBLEM ( DODGE IMPLEMENTED A NEW GASKET DESIGN ON THE 1999 MODEL YEAR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM). ALSO I THINK THAT BASED ON THE FREQUENCY OF THIS FAILURE THERE SHOULD BE A FULL MANUFACTURER RECALL, THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE SEVERITY, AND LOCATION OF THE OIL LEAK .*AK
Official recalls
304V021000 · 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.
99V244000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 15, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
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.
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.
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.