NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Jun 22, 2005
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR IN 1999. TWO YEARS LATER TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND CONSUMER PAID $2,500 TO REPLACE IT. CONSUMER SAID THAT WHEN SHE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE LEFT VEHICLE THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK, AND SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER THOUGHT SHE HAD ALL THIS FIXED, BUT PRO…
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DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR IN 1999. TWO YEARS LATER TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND CONSUMER PAID $2,500 TO REPLACE IT. CONSUMER SAID THAT WHEN SHE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE LEFT VEHICLE THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK, AND SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER THOUGHT SHE HAD ALL THIS FIXED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. DASHBOARD SHUT DOWN/GAUGES DID NOT WORK, AND TDASHBOARD ILLUMINATION MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN CONSUMER DROVE DASHBOARD CA ME ON AT ONCE/GAUGES WILL BEGAN WORKING, AND LIGHT CAME ON . CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WIRING AND SENSORS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10126234
91,500 miles · Jun 14, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS BORROWING MY PARENTS 1999 DODGE STRATUS .I STAOPPED TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT THE DAYCARE.. LEFT THE CAR FOR ONLY 2 MINUTES AND WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE..THERE WAS A BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE WHOLE MOTOR WAS ON FIRE..THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE NO…
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I WAS BORROWING MY PARENTS 1999 DODGE STRATUS .I STAOPPED TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT THE DAYCARE.. LEFT THE CAR FOR ONLY 2 MINUTES AND WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE..THERE WAS A BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE WHOLE MOTOR WAS ON FIRE..THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE NOTHING ON THE INTERIOR WAS RUINED ONLY THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE MOTER LOOKS LIKE A HEAP OF MELTED PLASTIC. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN SOMEDAYS IT WOULD BE STUCK UP AND SOMEDAYS IT WOULD BE STUCK DOWN.. LUCKILY MY PARENTS HAD INS TO COVER THE VEHICLE WHICH NOW IS A TOTAL LOSS BUT NOW THEY NEED MONEY FOR A DOWN ON ANOTHER VEHICLE.. ANYONE WITH AN ATTORNEY OR OTHER INFO PLEASE CONTACT ME. CARLA@JTSCONSTRUCTION.COM
NHTSA ODI #10125258
35,000 miles · Apr 19, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
MY WIFE DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND PARKED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AT THAT MOMENT, MRS. APONTE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIREMEN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIREMEN TOLD HER THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BURNED MORE BY T…
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MY WIFE DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND PARKED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AT THAT MOMENT, MRS. APONTE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIREMEN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIREMEN TOLD HER THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BURNED MORE BY THE DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #10118121
100,000 miles · Mar 15, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR RECENT REPAIR PRIOT TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *A…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR RECENT REPAIR PRIOT TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115179
179,000 miles · Feb 18, 2005
Electrical SystemCrash
THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN 10 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A WIRE SHORT IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10111767
100,000 miles · Dec 19, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
ON DEC. 12, 2004 MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER , & HER STEP-DAUGHTER WERE ON OUR WAY TO GO SHOPPING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES FROM HOME. WE STOPPED AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AND ATE LUNCH, THEN CONTINUED THE OTHER 15 MILES. WE EXITED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS AND ENTERED THE STORE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES, AN IN-STORE PAGE WENT OUT…
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ON DEC. 12, 2004 MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER , & HER STEP-DAUGHTER WERE ON OUR WAY TO GO SHOPPING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES FROM HOME. WE STOPPED AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AND ATE LUNCH, THEN CONTINUED THE OTHER 15 MILES. WE EXITED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS AND ENTERED THE STORE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES, AN IN-STORE PAGE WENT OUT THAT A VEHICLE OF OUR DESCRIPTION WAS SMOKING BADLY. WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE STORE WINDOW, I SAW THE VEHICLE WAS MINE. I RAN OUT TO THE PARKING LOT TO FIND MY CAR (1999 DODGE STRATUS) MOTOR WAS ON FIRE WITH FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR AND BLACK SMOKE BOILING OUT. BY THE TIME EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARRIVED (POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT), MY CAR WAS FULLY IN FLAMES. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE FINALLY, BUT MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE HOT-SPOT ON THE HOOD WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10104109
45,000 miles · Jul 27, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE A REGULAR CHECK UP. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND IT WOULD NOT START THE FOLLOWING DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER THE STARTER THREE BOLTS WERE MISSING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083643
53,900 miles · May 28, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (CHRYSLER STRATUS, YEAR 1999), AND AFTER SHE PARK THE CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER WITH MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER (4 YEARS OLD) *LA
NHTSA ODI #10073301
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. FIRE STARTED FROM THE LEFT FRONT COMPARTMENT PER THE FIRE REPORT, BUT WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040270
6,700 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Electrical System
IN HOT WEATHER, THE DASH LIGHTS/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10024339
NHTSA investigations
5EA05019 · Power Steering Fluid Fires
Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Jan 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
ODI HAS RECEIVED 29 REPORTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES (JA-CARS) EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES.THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK OR THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER AN EXTENDED DRIVE AND SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED - CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH IGNITION OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SURFACE DURING THE VEHICLE HOT SOAK PERIOD. ON JANUARY 6, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 1999 AND 2000 JA-CARS BUILT FROM JULY 1, 1998 TO JULY 31, 2000 AND EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINES (RECALL 06V-001).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT ?THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT, AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.DCC INDICATED THAT IT WAS AWARE OF 94 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CONDITION WHEN IT MADE THE DEFECT DETERMINATION.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT CONDITION, DCC WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A NEW PART MADE FROM A HOSE MATERIAL WITH INCREASED HEAT RESISTANCE CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE05036 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 29, 2005 · Closed Nov 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON JUNE 29, 2005, ODI OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE05-036 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS, DODGE STRATUS AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE PASSENGER CARS (JA CARS). THE JA CARS WERE INTRODUCED IN MY 1995 AND ENDED WITH MY 2000.THEY WERE PRODUCED WITH 2.0L, 2.4L AND 2.5L ENGINES.THE INCIDENT DATA IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME ARE FOR SUBJECT VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES FOR ALL CAUSES. ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER, EVIDENCE COLLECTED FROM FIELD INSPECTIONS OF FIRE INCIDENT VEHICLES INDICATE THAT FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE IS USED IN JA CARS WITH BOTH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L ENGINES IN MY 1995 THROUGH 2000.THE FIRE INCIDENT RATE IN THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2000 JA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L ENGINES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRIOR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES USING THAT ENGINE AND IN ANY OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE 2.0L OR 2.5L ENGINES.DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED PERIODIC UPDATES TO ODI. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-019) HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.
RQ03005 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Jul 16, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL BEFORE THE OPERATORS EXITED THE VEHICLE.MOST OF THE CRASHES WERE MINOR AND INVOLVED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN UNATTENDED CHILDREN MOVED THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN THE OPERATOR WAS STRUCK BY A ROLL-AWAY VEHICLE AFTER PARKING AND EXITING.ALL INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE INTERLOCK PIN THAT RIDES IN THE INTERLOCK LEVER SLOT WITHIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES.
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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