Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FLUID
DP04007CHRYSLER GROUP LLC10/13/200410/27/2004FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS
 On september 5, 2004, mr. robert galenty of iselin, nj, petitioned the agency to conduct defect investigations of certain model year (my) 1993-1997 vehicles produced by daimlerchrysler corporation.his petition identified three issues of concern: 1) fuel leaking from the fuel injector rails; 2) brake fluid contamination resulting in brake failure; and 3) susceptibility of the vehicle frame to damage while the vehicle is being towed.mr. galanty alleged that his 1996 dodge intrepid had each of these three problems.concerning fuel rail leakage, daimlerchrysler commenced a recall (98v-184) of approximately 722,600 vehicles to address engine fuel rail leaks that could lead to a fire, including those vehicles cited in the petition and the petitioner's 1996 dodge intrepid.on october 7, 1998, nhtsa opened a recall query investigation (rq98-018) to evaluate the adequacy of the recall remedy.that investigation was closed on july 8, 2002 without requiring further action by daimlerchrysler.very recently, on june 9, 2004, nhtsa denied a petition (rp04-001) to reopen rq98-018 after finding that there was no new information that would indicate any basis for reopening it.this is still the current position of nhtsa on this issue.concerning brake fluid contamination and frame alignment, a review of nhtsa's database shows no other complaints on either one of these issues on the vehicles cited in the petition.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
09/06/2000
 While driving and coming to a stop brake pedal went all the way to the floor, and there also was fluid leaking from abs system. has not contacted dealer.*ak
 Abs failure light is on continuously and system is inoperative. has been in for repair 3-4 times but problem never fixed. have spent over $500 trying to get it repaired. manufacturer/dealer will not help with additional repair costs.
02/01/199907/01/1998
 In the 2 years i've owned this vehicle it has been plagued with problems. transmission failed without warning, just a loud bang then like it dropped into neutral. the air conditioner evaporator was replaced in 1995 by a prior owner and again by me in 1998. the air conditioner compressor failed in 1999. i was able to obtain a partial repair history of a prior owner which shows work was done between december 96 and september 97 that includes 3 repairs to the transmission and 2 repairs to the air conditioning. i was very lucky not to have had a very serious accident on the highway when the abs traction control came on and stuck, the vehicle shook violently and i lost speed quickly in the outer lane of a 4 lane highway, the dealer says the cab module needs to be replaced. other numerous problems include dim headlights, wipers do not clear the driver's window properly, replaced brake rotors and pads twice, ill fitting trim inside, a/c leaks in the passenger compartment, rattles over rough roads that the dealer can't find and insufficient windshield washer spray just to name a few. chrysler has a huge problem with quality.
08/13/2000
 The reservoir for the abs experience a failure; please provide any further details:
2
 Abs unit failed. nlm
06/15/19971206/01/1993
 At low speed 20mph in parking lots or heavy traffic with a/c on all gauges the instrument on panel would go off immediately and the heater comes on blowing at full speed. took the vehicle to dealer no warranty for electrical problems. they said vehicle needed a new ignition switch. replaced at consumer cost. also while driving on highway abs light came on and stayed on, and the wheels locked up at heavy braking. dealer's response no warranty, diagnosis showed it needed new computer. 3 months later, abs came on intermittently. dealer said it needed abs brake relay, emercency brake inoperative (1993), evaporator core ruptured, head gasket warped from overheating causing leakage. *ak
06/15/1998
 Front brakes locked up while driving. vehicle was inspected by dealer on one occasion, and two other times by an independent repair shop, and consumer was informed that cause could not be found or duplicated. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak
 Vehicle has a leak in one of the valves of the abs system. the dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak
 There is a leak in one of the valves on the abs system. the dealer and manufacturer has been notofied .
12/15/19985
 Abs brakes would self engage on their own. do not have to touch brake pedal. would only happen when going 40mph or below. there would be no warning. had vehicle towed to dealer due to abs brakes engaging & burning brake pads. *ak
 When applying the abs brakes the pedal intermittently pulsates which also causes the steering wheel to shake, cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
02/01/1997310/20/1992
 Abs light comes on intermittently indicating abs failure. *ak
02/01/1997310/20/1992
 Abs brake warning light come on intermittently and stays on until the vehicle is stopped and restarted. the steering wheel also vibrates when slowing down from highway speeds, believed to be related to the abs problem.
 The abs light keeps coming on/off, not clear whether abs brakes were functioning properly. *ak
112/23/1992
 Abs brakes failed, resulting in a crash. *ak
09/01/1996105/12/1993
 Abs brake failure. *ak
4
 Abs main power relay failed, also replaced power steering rack/water pump/windshield wiper motor/left sway bar. *ak
09/11/19965
 Abs main power relay failed, also replaced steering rack/left sway bar/water pump/windshield wiper. *ak
08/20/19950
 Antilock brake failure.
02/23/1996
 Abs, brake failure, yellow came on while driving, pedal was spongy. *ak
03/01/19951
 Anti-lock brakes locked up, causing loss of control/accident. *skd
 Brakes are mushy and abs warning light comes on. tt
06/16/19956
 Abs: pedal goes to floor every time applied brakes; emergency brakes applied to stop vehicle; nearly caused accident; no warning. tt
02/04/1995
 Abs, brake failure when applied vehicle skided at speed 35mph lost control, abs brakes lockup impact 6:00 position. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
2
 Anti lock brake light continually illuminating, unable to rectify.
06/01/1993
 Abs brake light keeps coming on, replace relay in abs system. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
02/01/1997104/01/1995
 Anti lock brake warning light failed.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
09/06/2002206/04/2002
 After having recall 98v130000 done for fuel seal, the problem reoccurred. vehicle was occupied at the time of the incident.*ak the morning of the incident, consumer started the vehicle smelled of gasoline. consumer drove the vehicle approx. 15 miles. consumer opened the hood and gasoline was coming out of the motor. consumer went to turn the key to turn on the defroster when the vehicle burst into flames. the brakes were also inoperative. *jg
01/08/20001
 Hydraulic control unit failed causing brake fluid leak and brakes to go to the floor. nlm
1
 Wheel bearing was replaced, eliminating front end vibration. rear view mirror fall off twice, once while driving almost causing an accident. front brakes or actually the tractioned control unit malfunction causing the brakes to stay on intermittently from a standing start under normal dry road condition. air conditioner leaked fumes into the interior causing a refrigerant odor, replace o rings. ignition switch replace twice, due to key could be taken out of the ignition whild driving, but at rest position the key could not be removed. car can suddenly violently downshifts, without warning , while driving at higher
08/20/19950
 Brakes fail to serve as backup when abs brakes failed. *dsh
04/01/19951
 Brakes chatter/steering wheel vibrates when slowing down from highway speeds. *dsh
04/19/19959
 Brakes replaced three times due to squealing. *skd
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
05/19/20000
 Heard metal scraping in front wheels. stopped at a brake company. they inspected vehicle, and noticed that pads and rotors were 14 inches, instead of 15 inches. they couldn't fugure out how consumer wa sable to stop. technician said it was a manufacturing and assembly problem. *ak
 When applying brakes in normal conditions the front end of the vehicle vibrates cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
12/22/19934
 Front brakes locked up 4 times. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
106/01/1994
 Purchased car used, the front caliper had to be replaced . *ak tie rod bolt to front left wheel fell out, steering inoperable. brakes began vibrating at 23000 miles, when braking brakes sounded like metal on metal, brake shoe on the front left was completely gone and rusted. water pump failed and was replaced. *slc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
09/01/19961
 Brake pads/rotors worn.
05/15/19951
 Replaced front brake pads due to pulsation. *ak
11/30/19942
 Front brake pads replaced. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
08/21/1997302/25/1993
 The brake rotors were replaced by the dealer three times and the manufacturer acknowledged the defect in materials and workmanship. *yh
08/01/19931
 Front rotors failed due to rust.
103/30/1996
 Brake rotors resurfaced.
09/01/19961
 Brake pads/rotors worn.
04/11/1994401/01/1996
 Brake rotors replaced 4 times. *sd
04/11/19961
 Brake rotors warped, causing steering wheel vibration when braking. *dh
 Traction control is causing rotors to develop cracks due to excessive from system, w/driver losing control. tech bulletin is not correcting vehicle. tt
10/03/19943
 Replaced front brake rotors. *ak
06/16/19951
 Front brakr rotors failed, causing vehicle to shimmy upon braking. *ak
06/16/19951
 Front brake rotors failed, causing vehicle to shimmy upon braking. *ak
06/05/19951
 Out of round rotors, causing vehicle to shimmy upon braking. *ak
11/30/19942
 Front brake rotors replaced. tt
12/01/19941
 Warped front brake rotors, causing vehicle to shake. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
106/01/1994
 Purchased car used, the front caliper had to be replaced . *ak tie rod bolt to front left wheel fell out, steering inoperable. brakes began vibrating at 23000 miles, when braking brakes sounded like metal on metal, brake shoe on the front left was completely gone and rusted. water pump failed and was replaced. *slc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
09/15/2001109/01/2092
 The hydraulic line developed a hole due to rusting. the rust was cause by dripping of air conditioner condensation on the line. i have photo if desired. dt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
07/28/19981
 Brake pedal sticks leaving brake lights on, replacement of the brake light switch and master cylinder did not rectify sticking.
10/01/1996103/30/1996
 Master cylinder replaced due to brakes locking up/smoking.
05/15/19951
 Replaced master cylinder. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
07/28/19981
 Brake pedal sticks leaving brake lights on, replacement of the brake light switch and master cylinder did not rectify sticking.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
02/01/1998
 Power brake booster/turn signal/hazard lights/horn/ automatic door locks and water pump failed @ 36,000 while stopping on highway in 65mph traffic. problems still exists. dealer would not fix it since vehicle was out of warranty. provide further information. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE WARNING
11/06/199806/15/1993
 The indicator light stays on as a problem with the brakes. the consumer states the brakes operate fine, its only the indicator light. vehicle will not pass state inspection with this problem. the dealer is aware of the problem. *ak *ml