1996 Chrysler Concorde

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.

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.

There is no summary currently available

SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS.DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN.THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.

I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT MILAGE ON THE CAR. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 40 , BUT I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST BECAUSE 1) THE ROAD WAS WET BECAUSE IT HAD JUST RAINED LIGHTLY, MAYBE 8 MINUTES PRIOR 2) I SAW THE OTHER DRIVER'S CAR WAS IN MY LANE. I WAS HIT PRETTY MUCH HEAD ON. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! I HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF MY CAR.THUS MY BEAUTIFUL CONCORD WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT HAD BEEN IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

10743929

Incident

May 9, 2014

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL RAIL HAD FRACTURED CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509919

Incident

Jul 15, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

QUICK-STRUTS AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT PARTS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THIS PRODUCT IS CALLED A MONROE QUICK- STRUT. THE FAILED PART WAS RETURNED FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT: PART #171939. THE TOP OF THE STRUT, NUT, AND STEAL WASHER "TORE FREE" OF THE PLATE WHICH COMPRESSES THE SPRING. THE 'TOP PLATE' PART OF THE ASSEMBLY REMAINED ANCHORED TO THE CAR BY THREE NUTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. THIS PLATE NO LONGER CONTAINED THE STRUT AND THE COMPRESSED SPRING AS SUPPLIED IN QUICK STRUT ASSEMBLY. THE ASSEMBLY AS PURCHASED, HAS A NUT AND WASHER MOUNTED IN TWO INCHES OF RUBBER MOLDED IN THE PLATE ON TOP OF THE STRUT SPRING ASSEMBLY. THAT RUBBER COMPONENT FAILED. THIS BECOMES OBVIOUS AFTER THE PARTS ARE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE OEM PART CONTAINS A LARGE WASHER LOCATED ON THE TOP WHICH WOULD PREVENT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10464352

Incident

Jul 3, 2012

Mileage

113,000 mi

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON MY 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI 3.5L VIN F. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AND THE ODOR HAS BECOME MUCH STRONGER IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. I AM FEARING A FIRE MAY OCCUR. GAS MILEAGE HAS GREATLY DECREASED TO ABOUT 12-15 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10409143

Incident

Sep 1, 2010

Mileage

157,600 mi

WE SMELLED GAS FROM THE ENGINE AREA. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION NOTED A LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM . GAS WAS DRIPPING EVERY 1 SECOND NEAR THE O RING BY THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL. HELP!. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A 3.5L ENGINE BUT A 3.3L 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. I KNOW THE 3.5L HAD A RECALL ON THIS DID THE 3.3L HAVE ONE ALSO AND NOONE NOTICE????? ALSO WHEN YOU PUT THE FLOOR SHIFTER INTO GEAR I.E. DRIVE, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, OR IF IN REVERSE THAT EITHER. THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR ALMOST LIKE THE SHIFTER OR LEAVERS ARE NOT WORKING. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE LOOKED AT FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. I DO BELIEVE IT MAY BE A SHIFTER ISSUE AND THEN THE O RING LEAKING GAS LIKE A DRIPPING FAUCET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10380885

Incident

Feb 6, 2011

Mileage

143,000 mi

1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT INJURIES CAUSED BY FAILED CAR JACK. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *JB UPDATED 05/11/10.*JB UPDATED 05/07/10.*JB UPDATED 03/12/10 UPDATED 06/25/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10300649

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

1. "BUSY RATTLE", NOT LOUD, BUT CONTINUOUS, MOST NOTICEABLE ON SMOOTH ROADS ABOVE 30 MPH, FROM FRONT FRAME SUB-ASSEMBLY, FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS. THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY IS ALSO CALLED THE "MOTOR CARRIER" AND IS BOLTED FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO THE FRAME (ABOVE). EACH BOLT GOES THROUGH A LARGE RUBBER BUSHING (ALSO CALLED AN INSULATOR). WITH 75,000 THOUSAND MILES AND NO OIL LEAKS, THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ARE ALL DRIED OUT AND FLAKING APART. EACH INSULATOR COST OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS AND IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER. THE COST OF REPLACING VIA A QUOTE FROM PEP BOYS IS OVER SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE MADE FROM A HARD YELLOW PLASTIC TYPE MATERIAL AND SHOULD BE MORE DURABLE. 2. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT PEP BOYS THE VIBRATION WILL WEAR THE BOLTS AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE COULD DROP DOWN. 3. PEP BOYS RECOMMENDS THE BUSHINGS AND THE BOLTS TO BE REPLACED. THE NEW BUSHINGS FROM CHRYSLER HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. REVIEWED THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT SEE ANY ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE RATTLE OR A REPORT THAT THE ENGINE ACTUALLY COULD FALL OUT ON THE ROAD. THE DATA BASE IS NOT WELL ORGANIZED AS IT IS SEGMENTED BY MONTHLY REPORTS. I CAN SEE HOW THE NOISE MIGHT CAUSE ONE TO INCREASE THE RADIO VOLUME AND NOT HEAR AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE. THESE BUSHINGS WILL BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10291588

Incident

Oct 15, 2009

Mileage

75,000 mi

I'VE HAD A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LX FOR ABOUT 1 YR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION 99% OF THE TIME I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT TURNS ON, IF IT EVEN DOES, AND A FEW MONTHS AGO EVERYTIME MY CAR DOES TURN ON, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN. IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVABLE FOR AT LEAST 2 MONTHS NOW. REPLACED RELAYS, FUSES, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY! I EVEN TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHICH THE MANAGER IS A FAMILY FRIEND, HE HAD IT FOR 2 WKS. RAN A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AND ALSO THE BATTERY WHICH IS NEW AND HAVE EXCHANGED SEVERAL TIMES WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. IT HAS NEW BATTERY GROUND CABLE NEW CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR TO STARTER CONNECTION, NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES AND STILL HAS ALL THESE PROBLEMS. AND NOW IF THE CAR WILL TURN ON THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WAS OVERHEATING AND IT NOW HAS A NEW THERMOSTAT. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED! AND NOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEGUN LEAKING. AND A FEW TIMES I HAVE NOTICED THE GEARS SHIFT. THE MOST FRIGHTENING THING IS WHEN IT DOES START, IT WILL DRIVE GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AND THEN, IT JUST TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS PRIOR TO SHUTTING DOWN. I AM A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL AND AM SO STRESSED OUT BECAUSE IT IS LITERALLY UNDRIVABLE. AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE 1ST THING I NOTICED AFTER ABOUT A WEEK WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN IGNITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN TILL IT WOULD FINALLY START. SOMETIMES I WOULD SIT IN THE CAR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I'M SURPRISED I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE ELSE MENTION THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A LEMON AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'VE MISSED DR. APPTS. AND ALSO MY SON IS DISABLED AND WE'RE JUST HAVING THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME WITH NO RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. CAN U PLEASE POST IF ANY OF THESE ISSUES ARE SOME OF CHRYSLERS UNREPORTED DEFECTS OR RECALLS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10283735

Incident

Apr 5, 2008

Mileage

115,000 mi

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

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Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

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