IllustrationWHILE BEING PARKED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE GAS TANK DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR.*AK VEHICLE WAS SUFFERING FROM GAS LEAK AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SEPARATION AT THE WELD OF GAS TANK. *BF *NM
2000 Dodge Stratus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 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
90–25K
1025–50K
2250–75K
2675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
116 reports with mileage · 100 unknown
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.
- Steering. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports64 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
216 reportsI HAD A 2000 DODGE STRATUS UNTIL TODAY. TODAY, MARCH 27TH, 2005, MY STRATUS HAD A HYDRAULIC LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING RUPTURE AND CAUSED MY ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD OBSERVED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE LINE FITTING AND THE LEAK FLUID DROPPED ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE BELOW. I BOUGHT THE RE…
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I HAD A 2000 DODGE STRATUS UNTIL TODAY. TODAY, MARCH 27TH, 2005, MY STRATUS HAD A HYDRAULIC LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING RUPTURE AND CAUSED MY ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD OBSERVED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE LINE FITTING AND THE LEAK FLUID DROPPED ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE BELOW. I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT HOSE. HOWEVER, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE I GOT A CHANCE TO REPLACE LEAKY POWER STEERING HOSE. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD A RECALL, OR WHAT I MIGHT DO TO RESEARCH THIS MORE AND FIND OUT IF SOMEHOW THIS IS A DEFECT, BECAUSE I KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE, BUT CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND READING THIS E-MAIL.
THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT AN AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH BE INSTALLED IN HER 2000 DODGE STRATUS. *NM *JB
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HER OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK …
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WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HER OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *TC
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THEN A LADY IN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUGGESTS TO MY WIFE THAT HER VEHICLE MAY BE OVERHEATING AS LITTLE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MY WIFE CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, BUT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED.
THE HEAT IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AT ONLY 32,000 MILES. *BF *NM
I HAVE MY AUTOMOBILE ROUTINELY MAINTAINED, EVERY 6-8 MONTHS, (OIL, TUNE UP,...)OIL SLUDGE BAKING IN ENGINE BLOCK-CYLINDER AT 50,000 AND AGAIN 114000. CORROSION BUILD UP & GUNK IN CYLINDER BLOCK, COILS & SPARK PLUG CORROSION CAUSING BAD-STRONG ORDER IN AUTOMOBILE AND SPUTTERING, POOR EMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM TIME TO TIM…
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I HAVE MY AUTOMOBILE ROUTINELY MAINTAINED, EVERY 6-8 MONTHS, (OIL, TUNE UP,...)OIL SLUDGE BAKING IN ENGINE BLOCK-CYLINDER AT 50,000 AND AGAIN 114000. CORROSION BUILD UP & GUNK IN CYLINDER BLOCK, COILS & SPARK PLUG CORROSION CAUSING BAD-STRONG ORDER IN AUTOMOBILE AND SPUTTERING, POOR EMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM TIME TO TIME AT 25,000 AND NOW AGAIN AT 114000, WITH LEAKS WHICH WE CAN SMELL VERY STRONG IN AUTOMOBILE. EXCESSIVE BRAKE LOCKAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BREAK IN NORMAL-AVERAGE SPEED OF 25 MILES. CONSTANTLY HAVING TO HAVE THE BREAKS REPAIR ALTHOUGH I HAVE LIFE WARRANTY ON BREAKS. REPAIRER STATES ITS THE AUTOMOBILE. SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ALWAYS LATCH PROPERLY AND HAS UNLATCHED ALL BY ITSELF WHILE IM DRIVING WITH MY SON, (6 YRS OLD). DRIVERS BELT ALSO UNLATCHES FROM TIME TO TIME. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICE THE CAR TENS TO SWAY TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE HAD THIS AUTO ALIGNED AS WELL AS, ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, BALANCING, ECT,...YET IT STILL DOES THIS TO DATE. BALL JOINTS, STRUTS WEARING OUT AT 25,000. I AM TIRED OF INVESTING SO MUCH IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. MORE THAN I REALLY SHOULD HAVE TO. I ALSO FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS AUTOMOBILE. SHOULD MY AUTOMOBILE CAUSE ANY SUDDEN FIRE DUE TO GUNK IN A HOT RUNNING ENGINE & TRANSMISSION, I WILL FILE A LAW SUIT. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REPAIR MY AUTO AND REIMBURSE ME FOR ALL I HAVE PAID SIMPLY SO THAT MY SON AND I CAN FEEL & BE SAFE DRIVING IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. *NM
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB.......*AK
DRIVING ON I 35 GOING NORTH MILE MARKER 34 , I SMELLED SMOKE, STOPPED CARE, GOT GRANDSON OUT. OPEN HOOD, AND FLAMES SHOT FROM CAR ENGINE. A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHT WAS BEHIND ME AND STOPPED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. LATHROP FIRE STATION WAS NOTIFIED. AND THEY CAME JUST AS THE FIRE WAS OUT. I CALLED MY WIFE SALLY MEYER AND TOLD HER…
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DRIVING ON I 35 GOING NORTH MILE MARKER 34 , I SMELLED SMOKE, STOPPED CARE, GOT GRANDSON OUT. OPEN HOOD, AND FLAMES SHOT FROM CAR ENGINE. A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHT WAS BEHIND ME AND STOPPED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. LATHROP FIRE STATION WAS NOTIFIED. AND THEY CAME JUST AS THE FIRE WAS OUT. I CALLED MY WIFE SALLY MEYER AND TOLD HER OF EVENTS AND MY GRAND SON AND I GOT A RIDE HOME. THE CARE WAS TOWED TO A-1 AUTO LOCATED IN CAMERON MISSOURI BY SCOTTY?S TOWING SERVICE OUT OF CAMERON M MISSOURI. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING IT. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE OTHER FIRES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THIS YEAR. ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE ARE NOW WITH OUT A CAR. IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HELP US WITH THE DODGE COMPANY TO REIN VERSE US FOR THIS DAMAGE?*AK
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MR. TIRE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE IT TO MY DODGE DEALER. DODGE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH FUEL FILTER. DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE CAUSE EXCEPT …
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FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MR. TIRE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE IT TO MY DODGE DEALER. DODGE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH FUEL FILTER. DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE CAUSE EXCEPT THAT IT FAILED. MENTIONED THAT MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT A NUMBER OF NHTSA FUEL PUMP FAILURE COMPLAINTS POINTED TO THE CONNECTION. WAS ADVISED THAT FUEL PUMPS DON'T NORMALLY FAIL. $700.00 REPAIR BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED 5 MONTHS AGO.
Official recalls
506V001000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Jan 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
00V196000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE WELD BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLOCK AND THE STAND-OFF BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE STAND-OFF BRACKET FROM THE BLOCK COULD CAUSE FATIGUE DAMAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND RESULT IN A HALF SYSTEM BRAKE LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BRAKE LINE BRACKET TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE.
00V066000 · Equipment:other:labels
Mar 2, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT CHILD LOCK INSTRUCTION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INCORRECT LABELS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS.
00V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Mar 2, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH UNPAINTED FUEL TANK STRAPS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PAINT PROVIDES CORROSION PROTECTION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE STRAPS DO NOT LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS.
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
3EA05019 · 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.
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.