NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
117 reportsMileage 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
90,098 miles · Jul 31, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10163963
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY GASKET THAT CONTROLS MY GAS WAS CRACKED, AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED $460.00, AND I WAS NEVER SHOWN THE OLD PART. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THERE REALLY WAS A PROBLEM CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME I BRING MY CAR TO GET AN OIL C…
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I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY GASKET THAT CONTROLS MY GAS WAS CRACKED, AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED $460.00, AND I WAS NEVER SHOWN THE OLD PART. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THERE REALLY WAS A PROBLEM CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME I BRING MY CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, A "PROBLEM" USUALLY OCCURS, ACCORDING TO THEM, BUT NO PART IS EVER SHOWN TO ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161205
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
64,000 miles · May 30, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS BUMPED FROM THE REAR CAUSING IT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE IMPACT BRAKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER HEAD AND NECK INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SC…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS BUMPED FROM THE REAR CAUSING IT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRE IMPACT BRAKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER HEAD AND NECK INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED ABOUT THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10158571
58,002 miles · Apr 22, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
MY PLYMOUTH BREEZE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING IT. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WE BOTH COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY HURT. ALSO, I JUST SPENT $700 ON A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155893
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL TOLD HER IT WOULD BE AWHILE BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO HER VEHICLE. SHE NEEDED TO LEAVE, AND THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME …
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DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL TOLD HER IT WOULD BE AWHILE BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO HER VEHICLE. SHE NEEDED TO LEAVE, AND THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THEN, SOMEONE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK UPDATED 2/24/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10147306
126,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERYONE THAT OWNS A PLYMOUTH BREEZE MUST REPLACE A HEAD GASKET. I KNOW THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY CONCERN IN GENERAL, BUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD IS APPARENT. CONSIDERING THE ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL THAT IS DUMPED ON THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR TO MAKE, AND IS VERY COMMON AM…
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IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERYONE THAT OWNS A PLYMOUTH BREEZE MUST REPLACE A HEAD GASKET. I KNOW THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY CONCERN IN GENERAL, BUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD IS APPARENT. CONSIDERING THE ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL THAT IS DUMPED ON THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR TO MAKE, AND IS VERY COMMON AMONG OWNERS OF THESE CARS. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THE SOURCES TO GO THROUGH TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. I AM BRINGING IT TO YOU IN HOPES THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT. THE AVERAGE WORKING CLASS FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THESE TYPES OF DEFECTS WHILE DAMILER CHRYSLER SEEMS TO GET AWAY WITH THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. NO ONE TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS DIED, GOTTEN INJURED, OR CRASHED DUE TO THIS DEFECT, BUT THINK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS DUE TO THIS VEHICLE CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF OIL AND ANTIFREEZE DUMPED ON OUR HIGHWAYS EVERY DAY. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE CHRYSLER HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. BEING THAT MY HUSBAND MUST COMMUTE TO WORK EVERY DAY, OUR CAR IS DESPERATELY IN NEED TO BE FIXED. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL COST US $700 TO FIX THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE ARE STILL SAVING UP TO FIX THIS PROBLEMATIC CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138188
80,900 miles · Sep 6, 2005
Steering
DT: THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO HIM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE TIE ROD END WAS BENT AND THE TIRES BALD. THE CONSUMER COULD SEE PAINT ON THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE THEY PAINTED THE FENDER. NOTICED THIS 7-30-05. THE DEALER WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF OF ONE TIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10131666
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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