SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
33,500 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
65,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
65,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
NHTSA Safety Investigations — CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2016
Sliding Doors Inoperative
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-016 on July 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 Model Year (MY) Grand Caravan or Town and Country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or elec
... tronic remote switches. Many of the complaints described having to remove passengers seated in the rear of vehicles through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the window, or the car?s rear hatch. The complainants have expressed concerns that if the sliding door(s) cannot be opened in the event of an emergency or crash, it could trap passengers or delay their egress.On June 4, FCA published TSB# 23-017-20 instructing dealers to replace the door lock actuator instead of the entire door latch assembly on the subject vehicles when consumers complained about either one or both of the sliding door locks not functioning and/or emitting a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation. On June 16, 2021, FCA approved a Quality Warranty Extension for fifteen years/150,000 miles from the vehicle's in-service date for sliding door lock actuators on vehicles built between May 1, 2015, through January 9, 2017. FCA has started notifying owners about the new program. FCA will provide reimbursement for owners who previously paid for sliding door repairs.Consumers whose sliding doors are inoperative will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed, and if a fault is identified, have the sliding door actuator repaired at no charge.Analysis of the FCA IR response and ODI complaint data found that the majority (96%) of sliding door failures occurred prior to the calendar year 2020 when the subject vehicles had approximately 4 years in service. At the time of the closing of this investigation, 99% of the subject vehicles are passed the age where failures typically occur. The number of new reports has been decreasing since 2020 and further reduced following the FCA Warranty Extension program. ODI found that prior to a failure of the sliding door(s) there is normally a loud buzzing noise/sound generated that alerts the operator to the actuator starting to wear out.ODI has not identified any crashes or injury allegations due to the sliding door being inoperable on the subject vehicles following nearly six years of exposure. ODI will continue to monitor complaints received for the incidence of sliding doors becoming inoperative.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.For a complete summary of this investigation and related consumer complaints, please see attached closing resume document.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2014
Interior Vehicle Fire
On August 6th, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE20-012) to investigate alleged thermal events, and/or vehicle fires originating at the charge hub in 2014 Chrysler Town and Country minivans manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). While the
... investigation was focused on the 2014 Chrysler Town and Country vehicles, the scope of the investigation was expanded to include the 2013-2020 Chrysler Town and Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles (the RT Platform).During the investigation ODI sent two separate Information Request letters to the manufacturer. One on August 17th, 2020 and one on March 31st, 2021.ODI identified a subject 2014 Chrysler Town and Country van on a vehicle salvage website that appeared to have experienced a thermal event where the charge hub is located. With the help of the NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC), ODI purchased the vehicle from the salvage company to inspect the damage and determine if more information about the failure could be obtained. A joint inspection with the manufacturer was conducted. Following this comprehensive inspection, a cause of the fire could not be determined.FCA initiated a parts collection initiative to obtain parts from the field for testing. The test results from the FCA field parts collection were inconclusive as they could not identify a common cause for the alleged thermal events. FCA looked at multiple liquid solutions that could have entered the charge hub circuit and caused it to short out, potentially leading to a fire. FCA also performed testing where the charge hub circuit was shorted out using a wire to observe if a flame or fire was produced. FCA provided their assessment to ODI concluding that none of the testing methods performed lead to a flame or fire being propagated.Given the low rate of thermal incidents at the subject vehicle charge hub, no reports of serious injury, zero reports of crash or death, and a lack of common failure mode, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.Read more
RQ — Closed
— Model Year: 2010
Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall
In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The repor
... t identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2005
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
THE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DC) MINIVANS HAVE THE NEW ADVANCED FRONTAL AIR BAG SYSTEMS WITH TWO FRONT CRASH SENSORS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME RAILS BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER AND A MAIN CRASH SENSOR INSIDE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MOUNTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.ACCORDING TO DC, THE FRO
... NT CRASH SENSORS ARE DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE DETECTION OF FRONTAL OFFSET AND ANGULAR CRASHES.THE ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM OFFERS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF AIR BAG INFLATION BASED ON INPUT FROM THE CRASH SENSORS.THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS CAN CORRODE FROM WATER ENTERING THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY.DC IS STILL INVESTIGATING ALL POTENTIAL ROOT CAUSES OF SENSOR FAILURES.A CORRODED SENSOR CAN SET A FAULT CODE, ILLUMINATE THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND BECOME DISABLED.IT APPEARS THAT FAILURE OF ONE OR BOTH FRONT CRASH SENSORS CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN NO/LATE DEPLOYMENT OF FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND NON-DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S HIGHER INFLATION LEVELS IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A CRASH MAY NOT BE AWARE OF LATE OR IMPROPERLY REDUCED LEVEL OF AIR BAG INFLATION AND THUS FIELD REPORTING OF SUCH EVENTS MAY BE SUPPRESSED.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-003) FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MY 2005 (AND 2006) DC MINIVANS.NOTE: TOTAL NUMBER OF ODI AND MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS INCLUDES SOME DUPLICATE REPORTS.Read more
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 2001
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL
... 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2003
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMP
... LAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1999
OVERHEATING OF SEAT HEATERS
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 24 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT SPARKS/OVERHEATS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO ONE OF TWO FACTORS:THE STITCHING OPERATION ON THE SEAT COVER MAY CAUSE THE SEWING NEEDLE TO SEVER SOME STRANDS OF THE WI
... RE HEATING GRID IN THE SEAT, OR A POOR SOLDER JOINT/WIRE CONNECTOR FAILS DUE TO IMPROPER PROCESSING OR LONG TERM OVERSTRESSING.THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH MUST BOTH BE TURNED ON TO POWER THE SEAT HEATER.COMPLAINANTS REPORT THAT WHEN OVERHEATING OCCURS, SWITCHING THE HEATER OFF ALSO STOPS THE OVERHEATING.THE FAILURE CANNOT OCCUR IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF.ODI FINDS THAT THE 33 FIRE ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING VERY LOCALIZED OVERHEATING(PHOTOS OF DAMAGED SEATS SHOW HOLES THE SIZE OF A PENCIL OR LESS).THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF SUSTAINED COMBUSTION AND NO REPORTS OF OTHER FIRE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.THE INJURY ALLEGATIONS ARE REPORTING MINOR INJURY.NO CONSUMERS REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT (PHYSICIAN CARE).THERE ARE NO ALLEGATIONS OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF A HEATED SEAT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1999
OVERHEATING OF FRONT SEAT HEATERS
ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT SEATS OVER HEAT AND SMOKE OR CATCH FIRE
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 1998
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 1994
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG (S) DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY--IN MOST CASES WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE.
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1994
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY (IN MOST CASES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE).
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 1992
SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES
There is no summary currently available
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1992
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WHILE IN USE
DP — Closed
— Model Year: 1992
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION ON WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON 1989 AND LATER CHRYSLER MODELS WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPIRIT/ACCLAIM: DYNASTY/NEW YORKER/LANDAU; LANCE/LEBARON; SHADOW/SUNDANCE; CARAVAN/VOYAGER.HOWEVER, BASED ON ODI'S COMPLAINT RECORDS, ON
... LY CERTAIN MINIVANS WILL BE INVESTIGATEDRead more
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 1997
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1996
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
CHRYSLER MAINTAINS THAT THE COMMON FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO KNOWN SLIDING DOOR OPENING INCIDENTS IS PRIOR INCORRECT DEALER LATCH ADJUSTMENT.CHRYSLER ATTRIBUTES THIS PROBLEM TO AN INACCURATE SERVICE MANUAL PROCEDURE - SLIDING DOOR LATCH/LOCK CONTROL, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION.CHRYSLER FURNISHED INFORMAT
... ION SHOWING THAT SIX OF ITS COMPLAINTS, AND TWO OF ODI'S, INVOLVED VEHICLES THAT HAD UNDERGONE PRIOR REPAIRS TO THE AFFECTED SLIDING DOOR.CHRYSLER HAS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS.TSB 26-06-96, SERVICE MANUAL REVISIONS, WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 1996 AND INCLUDES A SERVICE REVISION (#81-370-6105A) CORRECTING SERVICE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR REPAIR PROCEDURES.TSB 23-39-96, SLIDING DOOR(S) DIFFICULT TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND/OR INSIDE, WAS ISSUED JUNE 28, 1996.CHRYSLER IDENTIFIED THREE DESIGN CHANGES INVOLVING THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS: (1)SLIDING DOOR LATCH PAWL SPRING FORCE INCREASED FROM 5.4 NEWTONS TO 8.0 NEWTONS IN SEPTEMBER 1995 TO ENHANCE PAWL ROTATION RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION; (2)ADJUSTABLE SLIDING DOOR HINGE IMPLEMENTED IN NOVEMBER 1995 TO REDUCE VARIATION IN SLIDING DOOR FIT; AND(3)SLIDING DOOR STRIKER ATTACHMENT HOLES REVISED IN JANUARY 1996 TO ELIMINATE UP/DOWN ADJUSTMENT OF STRIKER TO IMPROVE INSTALLATION PROCESS AND REDUCE VARIABILITY OF ALIGNMENT BETWEEN LATCH AND STRIKER.AT PRESENT, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY INCIDENTS INVOLVING VEHICLES BUILT IN OR AFTER JANUARY 1996.ODI HAS CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS OF SLIDING DOORS OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE IN MOTION, INCLUDING VEHICLES WITH NO PRIOR SERVICE HISTORY TO THE AFFECTED SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE DOORS OPEN ANYWHERE FROM A FEW INCHES TO FULLY OPEN, AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 15 TO 60 MPH.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED NUMBEROUS COMPLAINTS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY IN LATCHING THE SUBJECT SLIDING DOORS AND/OR DIFFICULTY IN OPENING ONE OR BOTH SLIDING DOORS.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 1996
FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVE
There is no summary currently available