NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
16 reportsClear category filter53,000 miles · Mar 27, 2010
SteeringFire
DROVE THE CAR TO A RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. PARKED THE CAR AND WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER I SAW A FIRE TRUCK IN THE AREA OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER WATCHING FOR A MOMENT I REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FIREMEN OPENED THE HOOD I COULD SEE THAT SEVERAL COMPONENTS …
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DROVE THE CAR TO A RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. PARKED THE CAR AND WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER I SAW A FIRE TRUCK IN THE AREA OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER WATCHING FOR A MOMENT I REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FIREMEN OPENED THE HOOD I COULD SEE THAT SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE MELTED AS WELL AS SEE SOME FIRE. AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SECURE ENVIRONMENT I CONTACTED A PLYMOUTH DEALERSHIP, WHO GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF ANOTHER PARTY OUT OF STATE. THIS PARTY SAID THAT A LETTER INFORMING ME OF THE RECALL WAS MAILED TO ME AND THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP WITH FIXING THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO STATE IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10322453
10,000 miles · Jan 13, 2009
SteeringFire
DAVES AUTOSALES OWNER DAVE MALMFELDT 801-560-2754 OR 801-562-8884 NEVER INFORMED US OF A SAFETY RECALL ON E23 HIGH POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE .THE DEFECT AND RECALL INFORMATION ANALYSIS SAFETY ASSURANCE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISS…
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DAVES AUTOSALES OWNER DAVE MALMFELDT 801-560-2754 OR 801-562-8884 NEVER INFORMED US OF A SAFETY RECALL ON E23 HIGH POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE .THE DEFECT AND RECALL INFORMATION ANALYSIS SAFETY ASSURANCE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ON FINAL APPROVAL SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED WITHIN A 120 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. SAFETY RECALLS COMPENDIUM,MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE SWITCH TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE CHAPTER 301 AND SUPPORTING FEDERAL REGULATIONS. DAVES AUTO SALES HAD NO INSURANCE ON HIS DEALERSHIP TO COVER THE LOSS OF THE CAR,SO HE REPLACED IT AND THEN SAID WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE CAR,AGAIN,WE ALL READY PAID $1300.00 DOWN PAYMENT 20 MONTHS OF PAYMENTS OF $166.00 LOSING 2 MORE PAYMENTS .ACCORDING TO LAW HIS DEALERSHIPS INSURANCE SHOULD OF COVERED THE LOSS OF CAR AT NO COST TO SHANE E ALLEN.SO DAVE BEAT UP THE DAUGHTER WHO WEIGHS 90 LBS 17 YRS OLD AND TOLD BACK THE CAR HE REPLACED HER ,SATURN,THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AND WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK IT BELONGED TO US SO WE DID. WE WANT DAVES LICENSED REVOKED AND ARE CIVILLY AND CRIMINALLY CHARGING HIM IN COURT. THIS MAN IS A THREAT TO SOCIETY. WE NEED THE TITLE MAILED TO US TO LICENSE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254878
111,000 miles · Oct 29, 2007
SteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT DID NOT CAUSE THE FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT DID NOT CAUSE THE FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000). THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10207321
70,000 miles · May 25, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER RECALL # 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). HE STATED THAT ANOTHER POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING, BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE THE REPLACEMENT. THE HOSE IS SPRAYING POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER RECALL # 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). HE STATED THAT ANOTHER POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING, BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE THE REPLACEMENT. THE HOSE IS SPRAYING POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10191736
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2007
SteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. IN 2004, THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND HER VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ONE YEAR LATER, SHE RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE # 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT HAS A REPORT FROM THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. IN 2004, THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND HER VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ONE YEAR LATER, SHE RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE # 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE CONTACT HAS A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE ENGINE SIZE AND CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10190871
86,489 miles · Jan 18, 2007
SteeringFire
TL *- THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL, AND WO…
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TL *- THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10179049
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2006
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THE NUMBERS OF RECALLS THAT ARE STILL PENDING ON MY CAR. THE THREE PENDING RECALLS ARE 843, C45, AND E23. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND I WAS SERVED AND TOLD THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE DEALER NEVER CALL TO TELL ME ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PARTS. I CALLED TO CHECK AND THE PARTS NEVER ARRIV…
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I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THE NUMBERS OF RECALLS THAT ARE STILL PENDING ON MY CAR. THE THREE PENDING RECALLS ARE 843, C45, AND E23. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND I WAS SERVED AND TOLD THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE DEALER NEVER CALL TO TELL ME ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PARTS. I CALLED TO CHECK AND THE PARTS NEVER ARRIVED. THE DEALER HAVE NOT TAKE ANY ACTION TO REPAIR MY CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169914
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2006
Steering
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING RECALL THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO SMOKE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC BUT THEY DID NOT SERVICE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. IT STATED THAT THE HOSE COULD CRACK, CAUSE FLUID TO LEAK AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. TH…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING RECALL THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO SMOKE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC BUT THEY DID NOT SERVICE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. IT STATED THAT THE HOSE COULD CRACK, CAUSE FLUID TO LEAK AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. A WEEK LATER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGINS TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE THEREFORE THE CONSUMER PICK UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND HAD THE HOSE REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIRS WERE PAID FOR BY THE CONSUMER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164766
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2006
Power TrainSteeringCrashFire
1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE DEFECT. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE AND THE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED, WERE DUE TO A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TWO RECALLS THAT WERE ISSUED. AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT A RESULT OF THE RECALLS. *JB UPDATED 01/7/14 UPDATED 0…
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1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE DEFECT. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE AND THE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED, WERE DUE TO A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TWO RECALLS THAT WERE ISSUED. AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT A RESULT OF THE RECALLS. *JB UPDATED 01/7/14 UPDATED 02/26/14
NHTSA ODI #10159463
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2006
SteeringFire
I HAVE A '99 PLYMOUTH BREEZE, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY POWER STEERING PUMP RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT I DID NOT NEED ONE, THE PRESSURE TEST SAID IT WAS NEGATIVE FOR A LEAK. NOW UNFORTUNATELY, FOUR MECHANIC VISITS & $1300 LATER, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE TODAY! I AM MORE THAN A LITTLE UPSET. HOW,…
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I HAVE A '99 PLYMOUTH BREEZE, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY POWER STEERING PUMP RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT I DID NOT NEED ONE, THE PRESSURE TEST SAID IT WAS NEGATIVE FOR A LEAK. NOW UNFORTUNATELY, FOUR MECHANIC VISITS & $1300 LATER, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE TODAY! I AM MORE THAN A LITTLE UPSET. HOW, CAN A VEHICLE BE SO DECEIVINGLY DANGEROUS! WHAT AM I TO DO NOW?! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152922
NHTSA investigations
4EA05019 · 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.
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