Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PE03010CHRYSLER GROUP LLC02/27/200309/02/2003THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
 Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.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 will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. see attached report for additional information.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL
PE03010CHRYSLER GROUP LLC02/27/200309/02/2003THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
 Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.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 will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. see attached report for additional information.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CABLES
PE03010CHRYSLER GROUP LLC02/27/200309/02/2003THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
 Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.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 will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. see attached report for additional information.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES
PE03010CHRYSLER GROUP LLC02/27/200309/02/2003THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
 Based on the low failure rate, the absence of failures over the past year, the absence of injuries, and odi's field investigation of incident vehicles, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.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 will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. see attached report for additional information.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
06/08/200595500104/27/1999
 I own a 1999 dodge intrepid 2.7 liter engine. it has about 95,000 miles on it. i was pulling my car forward when the accelerator/throttle stuck and plunged my vehicle into a jeep in my driveway. i almost pushed that vehicle almost into the road with oncoming traffic. i put my car into reverse to prevent further incidence, and it crashed into a tree (with the throttle still stuck). the tree stopped my vehicle and i was able to shift it into park. there was minimal damage to the jeep because it had a square metal bumper, but i was not so fortunate. i have frontal damage as well as extensive rear damage to my vehicle. the car was going at such a fast rate of speed that the driveway had deep marks in it from the acceleration and me trying to brake. the car had to towed to a repair shop because i did not want to take the chance of further injury/incidence.
10/24/200451217110/01/2002
 While in the parking lot of a church vehicle went into reverse by itself and went across the parking lot. the consumer received a recall notice from the manufacturer for the trans axle floor shift interlock system. the consumer took the vehicle to a dealer, and was told that the vehicle was out of warranty. the dealer wanted to charge consumer $2227.89 to repair the transmission. currently, the vehicle will not go into reverse at all. *ak refer to recall campaign #04v021000. the consumer place the key into the ignition and turned on the ignition and the vehcile vehilce shot into reverse, across the parking lot. *sc
04/02/200496000108/16/2002
 I was on my way to work that morning and there was a loud clunk and then the wheel locked up. i was unable to break or turn the steering wheel without major difficulty. my speedometer went from 45 to 10 in seconds so i was able to coast to a stop. when the car was towed and checked by the mechanic i was told that the timing change prematurely popped and one for the pulley's bent all of the valves which blew my motor. i was then told that it would take $5000 to replace the motor. i don't have $5000 so i had the car towed to my mothers home where she has room for the car and it has been sitting ever since. i have a 5 year loan on this vehicle that must be paid and no vehicle. even a used motor is going to cost me at least $2800-$3000 and this is not money that i have available to me. the car was well-maintained and recieved oil changes and i made sure to get everything done before it was needed. i still have 3 years to go on the loan and absolutely no way to pay for the repairs. and i know that the longer the car sits the worse the overall damage will be because things will begin to wear down from non-use. but what else can i do??*ak
07/09/2004580001
 While driving 50 mph vehicle surged forward. consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
03/04/2002790001
 The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration.*jb
08/19/2002103/01/2099
 Started vehicle in park with right foot on brake pedal. soon as put in reverse encountered a sudden unintended acceleration (sua). through normal reflex also had portion of my left foot on brake pedal as the motor raced being pushed in a backwards circular motion by an unknown component malfunction. a 180 degree circle was made until stopped by the rear bumper of an unoccupied windstar van. then i was able to turn off the iginition to stop the still racing motor. that windstar driver had just descended from her vehicle. the police had my vehicle towed because of a vehicular defect. my vehicle missed an occupied station wagon by approximately two inches judging by skidmarks. the driver confirmed that soon as back up lights came on my vehicle just shot out of the post office parking space. mr
03/19/200206/01/2099
 I drove my car to work without incident. car was parked at work overnight. left work the next morning, while accelerating up to speed i noticed that the car was jerking hard as it shifted through the gears (automatic). before i got home (3 miles from work) the engine check light came on. when i arrived at home i cycled the shifter from park to drive (while car was parked in garage). while doing this the transmission would hesitate and then shift very hard into drive which made the car lurch forward (park and foot brake were applied). i had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the input speed sensor, this was covered under the original manufacturer's warranty, no cost to me. the next incident occurred in a similar fashion, the car was parked at work. when i left the next morning i noticed that the speedometer was not working (indicated 0 even though the car was moving). the shift selector on the dash was in [2] even though i had the shifter in the auto-stick mode which should start out in [1]. i took the shifter out of autostick and placed it in auto-shift, the acceleration was very sluggish, it was obvious that the transmission was stuck in [2]. as i was driving home the check engine light came on. while parked in the garage i cycled the shifter from park to drive, once again the transmission hesitated, then shifted very hard into drive, causing the car to lurch forward. i had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the output speed sensor. the original manufactures warranty had expired, i bought an extended warranty which covered the repair minus my $100.00 deductible. i have read numerous complaints through your website from other owners with the same problem, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that their is a real safety issue here. when is your department going to inform the manufacturer that this is not acceptable? maybe after someone is killed!!*ak
02/08/20021
 While backing up, the engine started to rev, consumer tried to shift into neutral, but shifted to drive instead, vehicle kept accelerating, and ran into a cement pillar.*ak. consumer also stated he hit the parking lot light pole while in reverse at impact, vehicle accelerator went to the floor.*slc
12/20/2001
 Airbag, horn and cruise control not functional due to clock spring
05/19/2001402/01/2000
 Cruise control component over took the brake system. car accelerated from 25 miles a hour in stop and go traffic to 40 miles an hour. this happened in spite of the brakes being compressed. this cause me and my family to end up unde the rear of truck. this action kad occurred again to me personally and to two other persons. this problem was reported to the dealership several times and claimed to have repaired it , but the same thing happenned again on the way home from the shop. the first tiome it was supposedly repaired, the o2 sensor and cruise control cable were replaced. this action has not stopped this vehicle from accelerating on its own. after this incident it accelerated with two different people behind the wheel. my attorney has located two other 99 intrepids that have done this. one accelerated in reverse and the other in drive like mine. i have contacted chrysler/daimler customer service, but to no avail. this vehicle has been taken back by the finance company because we refused to pay on anything that almost killed our family. of course they, household finance, could care less and were only interested in getting their money. i intend to put this information every where i can to hopefully prevent anyone from purchasing this vehicle. they could be killed because it has not been repaired and continues to accelrate ob its own. this car is a death trap and should be taken off of the road. if there is anything else i can do to accomplish the foregoing, please contact me .*ak
04/29/20011
 While driving out of driveway vehicle accelerated at full speed, causing loss of vehicle control, brakes failed to stop vehicle. consumer turned ignition switch off to gain control. *ak rear brakes locked causing the vehiclce to skid. the front brakes could not over come the full acceleration of the vehicle. the vehcile has heater and window motor problem. the consumer believes the problem was caused by electronic failure. *yh
03/28/2001
 Consumer was in park and engine started racing real hard. consumer thought by turning heat & radio off it would help engine calm down. vehicle was starting to move forward in a park postion. consumer put foot o brakes, and vehicle suddenly took off with two feet pressing down on brake. consumer was one car length behind another vehicle. other driver saw consumer's vehicle moving forward, but consumer had rearend other vehicle doing over $1000 worth of damages. chrysler was sending someone out to cosumer's house to look at vehicle on 04-02-2001.*ak
10/11/20001
 When vehicle was shifted from park to drive it accelerated to full throttle and crashed into a wall.vehicle had to be towed to dealership. *ak
07/28/20002
 Started vehicle & was backing it up when it suddenly accelerated backwards. also, accelerated forward. jumped a curb. had no prior warning. took to dealer & mechanic could find the cause of the sudden acceleration.*ak
05/26/20001
 Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in collision with fence causing extensive damage. *mjs
02/19/2000207/01/1999
 The vehicle suddenly started to jerk and raced forward while the driver was braking due to speed sensor failure, but the incidence repeated after replacing the speed sensor. yh
02/19/2000107/01/1999
 Vehicle experience sudden acceleration while backing out of a parking space, consumer foot was depressing the brake and the vehicle continue to rev, jerk and accelerate down a 30- foot embankment, the air bag failed to deploy during accident. yh
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL
03/03/20071320001
 A friend was getting on to the highway when the accelerator stuck and reved the engine all the way. we had just put a new motor in the vehicle so he shut the car off to preserve the motor and lost most of the steering. he hit a wood sign post and coasted down the hill to a gas station. the insurance co. totaled the car with me still owing $2,000.00 on the car and $2,000.00 on the motor. the insurance co. only gave us $2,800.00 for the car so we still owe money for a vehicle that had a defect. *jb
07/12/2004280001
 After starting the vehicle and placing the vehicle in reverse it will accelerate to the point that it will almost run over other vehicles or people. *ak
03/05/2003101/09/2002
 The pin that holds the gas pedal to the gas pedal bracket on the floor comes out causing the gas pedal to seperate form the bracket. have also replaced the front rotors and pads. left front power window motor and righr rear power window motor.*ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CABLES
08/05/200595000308/01/2005
 In normal driving conditions both the window regulator and the cable for the cruise control failed causing the glass to enter the window frame and the car to lose speed. i had the window repaired only to have it fail again and have not yet repaired the cruise control for fear of another failure.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CRUISE CONTROL
02/15/200372000110/01/1999
 Failure of 2.7 liter dodge intrepid engine at 72,000 miles
550001
 While driving at 25/30 mph air bag clockspring module failed. this resulted in air bag, horn, and cruise control malfunctioning. dealership replaced the clockspring.*ak
08/08/2002201/01/2002
 Both speed control modules and tcm have failed in the last 2 months; locking me into gear and causing engine to stall in intersections both times. *ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES
08/15/2004100000101/10/2000
 While in the vehicle, trying to start the engine, vehicle rolled down the hill, striking a pole. dealer stated that a cable became defective. *ak the consumer attempted to place the vehicle in drive when the vehicle started to roll. the brakes did not respond. *sc *jb
07/28/20002
 Was backing up after starting when vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards. vehicle had also accelerated forward & jumped a curb. would have no warningthis will happen. took to dealer ship & mechanic could not locate cause of engine acceleration.*ak
07/28/2000210/24/1999
 Consumer was backing out of parking lot and vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards & hit another vehicle. consumer put vehicle in drive to move it & it accelerated forward, jumped the curb into a dirt pile. dealer did not have a reason why vehicle accelerated. *ak the driver had foot on brake when the vehicle was accelerating forward. *yh