Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
04V021000DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONfrom 04/01/1992 to 07/31/1999V (Vehicle)231576806/14/2004ODICHRYSLER GROUP LLC01/13/200401/15/2004
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. an inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Consequence SummaryEither circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. owner notification began on june 14, 2004. owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NotesDaimlerchrysler recall no. c45.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
98V183000CHRYSLER CORPORATIONfrom 07/25/1994 to 01/21/1998V (Vehicle)68500010/26/1998ODICHRYSLER GROUP LLC08/06/199808/17/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. the adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. a combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
Consequence SummaryIf this happens, the ignition-park interlock system will be nonfunctional.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a self-adjusting design.
NotesOwner notification began october 26, 1998. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
210060103/16/2001211699621898Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4. *tt *mj10/03/2001
21059703/14/19976088988Concerns with 41te/42le transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift. *nlm01/11/2000
21059903/05/1999604696Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket. *tt05/07/1999
21049902/26/1999604364Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (trs) *tt04/27/1999
CH21069506/01/199543055Unknown11/01/1995
21269412/01/199439010Clicking noise from the left front of vehicle at low speed. *tw03/01/1995
18269401/01/199439009Improved transmission shift quality. *tw02/28/1995
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
21149712/12/19976089036Concerns with transmission fluid auxiliary cooler. *nlm01/12/2000
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
18099702/28/199751993Vehicle shudder during torque converter emcc (lock up) operation/diagnostic trouble code 38. *tw07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
21079804/24/1998600751Subject on delayed transaxle engagement. *ak06/05/1998
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
21099705/16/19976089028Information on 41te/42le service information. *nlm01/12/2000
97031421059703/14/199754371Condition with tranaxle shudder during a 3rd gear to 3rd gear partial emcc ( electronically modulated converter clutch) engagement, 3rd gear partial emcc to 4th gear partial emcc engagement, or 4th gear to 4th gear emcc engagement. *yc03/30/1998

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EA03011CHRYSLER GROUP LLC07/17/200301/30/2004AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK04V021000
 The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
EA03011CHRYSLER GROUP LLC07/17/200301/30/2004AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK04V021000
 The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
05/21/20031810751
 Request for refund for all repairs made to transmission that was in the recall .*mr the consumer's transmission failed prior to recall notification. the consumer request reimbursement for the cost of the repair. the radiator was replaced. the engine mount assembly was replaced. the ignition was replaced. *nm
12/15/199911/01/1997
 The engine check light has come on intermittently since i bought this car. most of the time the dealships have told me it was a false code. in dec. of 99 i took it to a transmission place and they said their computer told them that the car had burned a shift clutch in the transmission and it would cost 1200 because they had to tear into the transmission. the tachometer also stays at zero most of the time, but every once in a while it will work. *ak
03/15/199911/01/1997
 The odometer shows door like a door is open while vehicle is in gear even though no door is open. have no ideal what odometer reads unless you look before you put vehicle in gear.
1
 Transmission failed.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
04/15/2009
 I have 1995 dodge stratus shifting down going down the road!!!! after rebuild on the traney not once but twice change all the switches i figured it out
05/19/20076300030004/07/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 1995 dodge stratus. while driving 65 mph, the vehicle shifted into first gear without warning, which caused the vehicle speed to decrease. there were several repairs performed on the vehicle to correct the failure; however, the failure continued to occur. the transmission was rebuilt and the solenoid was replaced on two occasions. the sensors and relays were replaced on numerous occasions; however, the failure continued to occur. the failure mileage was 63,000 miles and current mileage was 68,000.
10/18/2006150009/21/2006
 While driving the transmission downshifts to limp mode causing a highly probable danger situation that may lead to serious injuries especially if traveling on the freeway. we have replaced the tcm at $166.00from a dealer and another dealer sucked approx.300.00 knowing that there is no way of fixing the defective transmission. why are you still allowing the dealers to replace parts that they fully know won't fix the main problem? why is there no recall on the defective transmissions? on the complaint side of your web page there are a lot of similar complaints! the dealer wants us to take the car back to them for diagnostics and i am sure they will recommend another problem solving idea to make us spend more money knowing it will not work. *tr
12/29/2006502/23/2006
 Purchased vehicle with clean carfax record in feb 06 with 75k miles. at 81k miles transmission started going into limp mode(slams into second gear regardless of vehicle speed). took car to dealership for diagnostic. they stated the input and output speed sensors were failing according to the computer. i replaced them. a week later the transmission fully failed. towed to a reputable transmission chain store. they fully rebuilt the mechanicals of transmission and replaced the speed sensors again. as i drove home the transmission returned to limp mode. returned to shop. they test drove it and second gear clutches burned up. they rebuilt it again and also replaced valve body and solenoid pack. i drove the car for a month before it again started limping. took the car to another dealership for diagnosis. they blamed the shop and stated they couldn't do anything for me but upgrade the flash in the transmission computer. the computer diagnostics could not reveal why the computer was putting the car in limp. returned car to previous transmission shop for yet another rebuild. drove car 2 months before it again started limping. returned car to trans shop, they rebuilt it again. still couldn't find concrete cause, replaced valve body again, had me buy replacement transmission computer from dodge, this fixed it for another 2 months. yesterday it again started going into limp. there is 200 miles remaining in the 12,000 mile rebuild warranty from the first rebuild so it will be in the shop for the 5th time in less than a year. *nm
08/15/20061250001505/01/2003
 Auto transmission downshifts at freeway speeds, throwing driver towards windshield. problem began 2003. have many, many service visits. lube shop flushed system. dealer replaced tps switch, dealer replaced tcm, trans shop rebuilt transmission with new torque converter and new input and output switches (worked one year) then problem returned. trans shop flushed system, trans shop replaced tps (again), trans shp recommended to replace tcm (again), but, dealer said no problem found. another dealer says tps bad. when i said it was replaced 100 miles earlier, they said that it was either wiring short, or main computer failure, has no way to know what problem is. also said that if i fix the wiring i would have to rebuild the transmission (again), awen i said it was rebuilt last year, dealer changed his story and said i did not have to rebuild transmission. dealer recommends junking the car. manufacturer is not helping at all. not looking for free work, i already spent $3000. i just want the problem fixed. it is extremely dangerous. this is a known problem for dodge, but they won't fix it, and they won't admit to a problematic transmission in this 4 speed. *nm
04/02/2005650005004/01/2005
 Dt: since the consumer purchased the vehicle it would shift into low gear or neutral on its own while driving. the vehicle was taken to two separate dealers for repairs. the dealer performed a diagnostic test and that ultimately led to the replacement of a solenoid pack. this did not correct the problem. the dealer noted that transmission computer had to be flashed. consumer took vehicle to a dodge dealer and no repairs were done. they did not offer an explanation as to why this happened. the gear still moved while in drive. this is still a problem. *ak *jb
07/10/2004148000312/28/1996
 Car has had transmission rebuilt three times. first time it was rebuilt by dealer at approximately 85000 miles because of rough shifting. second time at 150000 miles at transmission re-builder because of it consistently going in to limp mode. after several return visits, they still could not fix the problem. i drove the car for 10000 miles being careful of conditions that i was in case it slipped in to limp mode. i eventually took it to a different shop to have it rechecked. after having all mechanical parts replaced, all sensors, and tcm module the car still goes in to limp mode almost on a daily basis. *jb
07/15/200510005/15/2005
 I have a 1995 dodge stratus when traveling about 45 mph my car automatically slips into neutral the vehicle jerks and slows down in speed i have to pull over to the side of the road and shut the car down and restart it, this problem happens intermittently, i took it a transmission shop and they could not find the problem they replaced the solenoid pack i still have the problem. *jb
02/07/2005101502/07/2005
 I purchased the car and the car would start to bounce down to first gear and now will not come out of first gear.i have tried to have it worked on but the transmition shop could not fix the problem either!!!*ak
02/04/200598000807/03/1995
 I am filing this complaint with respect to a 1995 dodge stratus. the dodge stratus is equipped with a device which i assume is tied in with the car's electronics or computer. the purpose of this specific device is to monitor the operation of the car's transmission so that whenever the transmission is under stress or is not operating as designed or intended (or at least the the computer surmises that the transmission is not operating normally or up to standard), the computer whenever that occurs automatically downshifts the dodge stratus to 2nd gear without any prior warning or notice whatsoever to the driver and the dodge remains in 2nd gear until such time as the dodge is brought to a complete stop and until the engine is completely turned off. if you then allow the dodge engine to remain off for 3 or 4 minutes and then turn the engine back on again, the car will perform normally again and without incident at speeds up to 40 or 50 or 60 miles per hour until such time as the computer, once again, succumbs to the urge to downshift to 2nd gear. at that point, the driver finds himself in 2nd gear and with no viable alternative but to pull off the road and turn off the engine once again. to comprehend what that predicament is like from the driver?s point of view, one has only to envision yourself on the new jersey turnpike or the long island expressway in rush hour traffic with dozens and dozens of 18 wheeler trucks all going 55and 65 miles an hour when, out of the blue, the computer on the dodge stratus decides to downshift to 20 miles an hour and the nearest 18 wheeler truck is only 10 feet behind you and doing 60 miles an hour. in that scenario, the possibilities for a horrible and catastrophic accident costing dozens of lives is apparent---all because the onboard computer on the dodge stratus decided on its own to downshift to 2nd gear. *ak
01/05/2005145500111/14/2004
 Transmission failed, 145,000 miles with no indication or check engine light. the transmission was running fine then failed and leaked a quart and a half of fluid from the rip in the pan. *ak
08/01/20037900003/11/2003
 Car will kick out of gear while driving down the road or won't go past first gear when starting it. i've replaced about everything except the transmission and the engine.
01/06/2004560002
 While driving at any speed transmission would not go past first gear. vehicle was taken to the dealer, who rebuilt the engine. currently, transmission was doing the exact same thing again. *ak
04/01/19967000003/15/1995
 The transaxle often slips and fails to shift into drive. eventually, the transmission had to be replaced. *nlm
06/24/2002204/01/2095
 Chrysler has been entirely unhelpful with this situation. you would think that they would see something is wrong after two failures.no safety defect listed. *ak
04/09/20021
 While driving 60-65 mph transmission downshifted harshly to 15 mph, dealer determined that the powertrain sensor failed and replaced it but the problem continued, the dealer then determined tthe transmission experienced an internal problem, the transmission was disassembled, the dealer replaced a broken (od)hub, broken breather housing, front planetary carrier, all seal, gaskets. filter and fluid.*ak *nlm
 While driving 60-65 and without warning transmission shifted to a low gear, up to 15-20 mph in middle of rush hour traffic.*ak
06/08/2001103/01/1995
 While backing out of driveway right tie rod broke. consumer repaired it himself.*ak consumer states that when the tie rod broke, all steering control was lost. transmission failed. *slc
0
 When traveling about 65mph on highway transmission slipped into neutral an vehicle slowed down to 35mph. then vehicle jerked and went into second gear. dealership was aware of problem. noted that transmission has been replaced last year. *ak
06/15/1997106/01/1995
 1. a/c past 3 tears has failed. control mode failure. a/c repaired 2x in warrenty. 2. abs sensor failed at 42000. 3.distributor failed at 90000 3. transmission-front pump seal started leaking at 90000. 4. spark plug ring seals(6) failed at 90000.
08/01/1999112/01/1996
 Head gasket began to leak oil. vehicle taken in for repair. repair costs $1100. the transmission began to leak profusely at 60,000 miles. the cost for that repair which has not been done yet is estimated at $2500. *ak
11/01/1995
 Transmission will downshift into a lower gear when traveling above 25 mph. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
10/25/2000112/01/1995
 I also had to have the water pump replaced.along with the sensor on the exhust pipe,seems like just when the warrenty goes off , and i had the extended warrenty,everything happens. *ak
12/15/199911/01/1997
 The engine check light has come on intermittently since i bought this car. most of the time the dealships have told me it was a false code. in dec. of 99 i took it to a transmission place and they said their computer told them that the car had burned a shift clutch in the transmission and it would cost 1200 because they had to tear into the transmission. the tachometer also stays at zero most of the time, but every once in a while it will work. *ak
01/15/2000103/01/1995
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
01/01/1999
 While driving at higway speeds of 55 to 60 mph vehicle will automatically downshift on its own, reducing the speed very quickly. this has nearly resulted in a driver's whiplash. dealer has been contacted. *ak
 This car downshifted while at the speed of 55 or more. *ak
504/08/1995
 Transmission does not shift gears between 35 and 40 mph. *yh
 While driving at any speed the vehicle wasn't shifting gear's properly. *ak
07/08/1995107/01/1995
 Transmission failed at 50682 miles. speed sensor failed at @ 52000 miles. still having problems with downshifting with new transmission and vehicle sticking in first gear. dealer unable to locate problem. they think it is the trans. computer module. chrysler unwilling to assist with repair cost of module.
01/10/199911/01/1997
 We brought the car back to dealer several times with no satisfaction. when we finally realized what the problem was the warrantee was over. i will never ever buy a car from saturn again, new or used.
02/16/1999702/01/1999
 When shifting gears there is a noise like some metal scraping metal and the entire engine moves in an unusual manner.
08/26/1998109/11/1995
 Transmission failed resulting in leaking.
11/01/1998
 When driving the vehicle, there were no prior indications, engine didn't go over 25mph and gears were hard to shift. when the hood was opened, the transmission had a hole in the top as if acid was poured onto it. dealer contacted, no warranty, and they cannot duplicate the problem, *ak
10/18/1998
 Transmission failed to operate at 46,000 miles of wear. transmission is slipping/does not go into gear and lost reverse. dealer/manufacturer notified. *ak
08/05/1997
 Transmission is slipping/oil leaks from the vehicle and the car does not shift into gear. dealer has not been able to locate the problem. *ak
04/19/1997105/01/1995
 Gearshift can be moved from drive to third gear without using the safety button/also can be shifted with keys out of ignition switch.
12/11/1996608/03/1995
 Loose bolt in transmission caused an oil leak.
01/01/19976
 The brake caliper/drum disc and the transmission were replaced three times, having other problems as well, will explain and send copy of paper work . *ak
12/02/1996106/21/1995
 Transmission leak.
1
 When driving there is a noise in the rear end (a thumping noise) . *ak possible suspension rleated. consumer also states the transmission whines loudly, especially when upshifting, and whistles at high speeds, the rear view mirror is too low on the windshield that it obstructs consumer's view of oncoming cars when making a left turn, also coin holder is obstructed by the emergency brake that most of the time consumer is unable to extract coins, consumer states windshields are veyr susceptible to srcatches from dirt and sand blown ip from the road or trucks that it sometimes makes it more difficult to see when driving towards the sun.*jb
02/10/1996
 The car changed gears when shifting from drive to reverse.please describe. tt
12/21/1995
 Applied brakes transmission slipped into first gear and locked up. tt
05/22/19952
 Transmission dropped into limp mode without cause, nearly throwing driver through windshield. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
02/07/2005101502/07/2005
 I purchased the car and the car would start to bounce down to first gear and now will not come out of first gear.i have tried to have it worked on but the transmition shop could not fix the problem either!!!*ak
08/01/20037900003/11/2003
 Car will kick out of gear while driving down the road or won't go past first gear when starting it. i've replaced about everything except the transmission and the engine.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
04/23/2001
 Vehicle will jump out of gear while being driven.*ak
04/13/19953
 Transmission not shifting properly. *sd
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
07/21/2004642951
 Consumer received a recall letter. called a dealer, and was told to bring the vehicle in. after waiting she was told there were no parts. consumer made another appointment, after arriving and waiting for two hours the part was not in, and she was told it would be one month. the recall was on shift interlock.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
10/29/1995311/10/1995
 Torque converter blew 3 times.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
08/01/19982
 Clutch cable replaced due to failure, however is experiencing same defect. mjs
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
08/01/19982
 Clutch cable replaced due to failure, however is experiencing same defect. mjs
07/14/1999
 Free play in the clutch pedal.consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer. *ak
01/05/199802/01/1995
 Clutch cable failed due to a bent clutch fork.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
01/25/199805/01/1996
 Engine and transmission seals failed too soon.