FAILURE NUMBER 1 - THIS VEHICLE HAS POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USE OF EITHER THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH OR THE MANUAL LATCH. TO EXIT THE AUTOMOBILE REQUIRED THAT THE DRIVER CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR OR CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT A…
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FAILURE NUMBER 1 - THIS VEHICLE HAS POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USE OF EITHER THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH OR THE MANUAL LATCH. TO EXIT THE AUTOMOBILE REQUIRED THAT THE DRIVER CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR OR CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT AND LEAVE THROUGHT ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. FAILURE NUMBER 2 INVOLVED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #717778
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1997
Electrical SystemStructureVisibilityFire
DUE TO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE EXPRIENCED THE LOCKS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY (ON AND OFF), AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT. A FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS FIRE, REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.
THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
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
1
EA00007 · Steering Column Fires
Opened Mar 3, 2000 · Closed Feb 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
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