1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

CLOCKSPRING ON MY 99 GRAND CARAVAN SE HAS MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON. MY GAUGES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY GOING 65MPH AND CAME RIGHT BACK ON AND MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND ITS LIKE IT JUST COMES AND GOES.

VEHICLE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK, WHEN IT SUDDENLY CHANGED TO REVERSE, KNOCKING DOWN AND RUNNING OVER THE DRIVER. *TR

MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE SHIFTING LEVER OUT OF PARK WITH OUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WENT IN TO NEUTRAL AND CAME DOWN OUR DRIVE WAY AND HIT A SNOWBANK COMING CLOSE TO A FOOT FROM HITTING MY HOME. THE DOOR HIT MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK AND CRUSHED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ON THE VAN INTO THE FENDER. THE LIFT GATE ON THE BACK CAVED IN. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT FROM BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE VAN BEFORE IT ROLLED. IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE SHIFTED WITH OUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LITHIA CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 1421 N.E. 6TH ST GRANTS PASS, OR 97526-1253, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE 1999 TOWN AND COUNTRY ##

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUNCTIONS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY, SUCH AS THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE ODOMETER. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

MY DODGE KEEPS ON HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON AND BATTERY IS NEW LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF ON PANEL WHILE DRIVING. CONCERNING POSSIBILITY OF CHARGING SYSTEM NOT WORKING AS WELL. BUT ALTERNATOR IS NEW. CAR WONT START SOMETIMES LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD BUT BATTERY IS NEW BOUGHT IN 2016 OCT. IT SOMETIMES WONT TURN OVER AND FACT IS THE CARS POWER DOORS ARE NOW BEEPING AT ME AND NOT SURE WHY. THAT JUST STARTED. I GOT TO UNLOCK DOORS BUT NOW THEY BUZZ CONSTANTLY. CITY DRIVING MOSTLY BUT SCARED TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO STOP COMPLETELY .ALL THIS HAPPENS AS I TRY AND DRIVE MY CAR. ONE TIME THIS LAST WEEK CAR DIDN'T START, HAD TO JUMP IT STARTED RIGHT UP THEN. IM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR.NO ONE AT BEAR AUTO TOLD ME THIS CAR HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. REDMOND OREGON.

SERPENTINE BELT REPEATEDLY COMES OFF DURING RAIN, CAR WASH, ETC. POWER STEERING GOES OUT, WATER PUMP QUITS WORKING, ALTERNATOR STOPS WORKING. THIS CREATES SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AND/OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. CHRYSLER/DODGE TURNS A DEAF EAR TO THE REQUEST FOR A FIX, ALWAYS POINTING TO OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES (WHICH AT TIMES ARE LEGITIMATE), WHILE IGNORING THE DESIGN DEFECT IN THEIR VANS (WHICH IS ALWAYS PRESENT). THIS IS A MULTI-YEAR PROBLEM INVOLVING SEVERAL DODGE VANS AND THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WHERE IS THE PROTECTION NHTSA STATES IS THEIR MISSION? THERE IS A SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM: GATES 38379K ENHANCEMENT COMPONENT KIT PRICE: $125.74 FOUND ON EBAY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL! *TR

I WAS COMING AROUND A TURN AND SAW A CAR MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY BRAKING AND THE VAN APPEARED TO ACCELERATE. I BARELY AVOIDED RUNNING INTO THE TURNING CAR BY SWERVING AROUND IT. I THEN FOUND THAT ONLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING. I GOT HOME AND MY NEIGHBOR HELPED LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE. THERE ARE 6 CONNECTIONS TO THE CAB. TWO ARE FOR LINES RUNNING TO THE REAR OF THE VAN. THEY HAVE 6 INCH SECTIONS OF FLEX TUBING BETWEEN THE SOLID TUBING. THE LEAK IS AT THE REARWARD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SOLID AND FLEX TUBING. BOTH REARWARD CONNECTIONS HAVE THE CORRODED SOLID METAL FOR THE FIRST FEW INCHES AFTER THE FLEX TUBING. I NOTED THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES ON THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CARAVAN ON THE INTERNET. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT IT DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

DRIVER STRUT TOWER GAVE AWAY DO TO RUST. I NEED HELP PAYING FOR THE VAN TO GET FIXED. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE FOR MY FAMILY AND WE CAN NOT AFFORD AN OTHER CAR RIGHT NOW. PLEAS LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS.

DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT MOUNT DANGEROUSLY RUSTED, COULD CAUSE FATEL ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE AIR BAGS, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN

WE BOUGHT THIS VAN FOR MY WIFE'S MOM. DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE AND THE RADIO CHANGES STATION WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT TOLD US THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED BY CHRYSLER SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. WHAT CAN WE DO? IS THIS SOMETHING CHRYSLER WILL COVER AGAIN? *TR

MY SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF EVERY TIME IT GETS WET. IT FALLS OFF IN HEAVY RAIN, IT FALLS OFF IN SNOW. AS YOU COULD IMAGINE WHEN YOU SUDDENLY DON'T HAVE STEERING ON WET AND/OR ICY ROADS IT BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN A FAMILY VAN. EVEN AFTER I GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAVE TO GET THE BELT BACK ON. ROAD SIDE REPAIRS ARE NEVER SAFE OR EASY BUT THEY ARE MADE EVEN MORE SO WHEN DONE IN THE RAIN OR IN A BLIZZARD WHEN IT'S 60 BELOW WIND CHILL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED!!!!! *TR

ON GOING PROBLEM, WITH MYSELF AND PREVIOUS OWNERS. NEVER ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER AND NO RECALL EVER DONE. WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF LEAVING YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL IF GOING AT NORMAL SPEEDS AND ON A CURVE. IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER. THEY JUST SAY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL AND REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS SO PREVALENT THAT GATES HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT PULLEY AND BELT TO FIX IT, BUT IT COSTS ABOUT $120.00 AND CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR THE FIX AND INSTALLATION. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF? *TR

POWER DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TO OPEN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY VAN AND REACH AROUND TO UNLOCK MANUALLY. IT DOESN'T LOCK AFTER BEGINNING TO MOVE EITHER. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THA PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTMENT BAR IS BROKEN AND THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN ONE POSITION... NO ONE CAN USE THE SEAT BECAUSE IT MOVES ALL THE TIME. *TR THE DRIVER SEAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT MOVE, I JUST CAN NOT ADJUST THE SEAT AT ALL.

I WAS TRYING TO INSTALL MY CARSEAT WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR THREE POINT SEATBELTS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. YES, YOU CAN BUCKLE UP AND FEEL SECURE BUT WHEN I TESTED THEM I NOTICED THE DON'T LOCK IN PLACE IF JERKED ON OR WHEN PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT. THAT MAKES THEM USELESS TO ME BECAUSE YOU CAN'T USE THEM TO TIGHTEN DOWN A CARSEAT AND THEY WON'T KEEP YOU FROM GOING OUT THE WINDOW IN AN ACCIDENT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE WOULD PUT INADEQUATE AND NON-FUNCTIONING SEATBELT IN A FAMILY VEHICLE, BUT I GUESS THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET ROBOTS BUILD YOUR CARS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY RECALL INFO OR ADVICE. *TR

SEAT BELTS IN MIDDLE ROW NO LONGER LATCH. TONGUE INSERTS BUT DOES NOT CATCH. RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT OFTEN FAILS TO FEED ENOUGH BELT OUT TO PERMIT BUCKLING. *TR

THE LEFT FRONT SPRING TOWER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE BODY TO DROP ON THE WHEEL. *TR

MY 1999 CARAVAN HAS THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER RUSTED OUT. THE IS A COMMON FLAW AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THEY'VE HAD SO MANY VANS DO THIS, THEY CREATED A REPAIR PART KIT. IF THE SHOCK BREAKS THROUGH WHILE DRIVING, SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WILL LIKELY OCCUR. *TR

ON 01/23/17 I TOOK A SHORT DRIVE IN THE CAR AND I SMELLED A SLIGHT STENCH OF GASOLINE BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME, UNTIL LATER ON IN THE DAY WHEN I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR OUT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION THEN I PROCEEDED TO STARTED THE CAR AND THAT'S WHEN IT HAPPENED, SO IM GUESSING IT WAS FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A FIRE REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 275,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TIRES, LINE SIZE P205 75/R14 DOT PJKC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE TIRES FAILED BETWEEN 12,000 AND 26,000 MILES. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS ON THE TIRES PRIOR TO THE THEM FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. THE DISTRIBUTOR ALSO ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,499 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,819.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS KELLY SPRINGFIELD TIRES, SIZE P21570R15. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD THE TREAD SEPARATING AND STRIKING THE WHEEL WELL. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED. HE PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE ALSO SEPARATED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LITHIA CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 1421 N.E. 6TH ST GRANTS PASS, OR 97526-1253, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE 1999 TOWN AND COUNTRY ##

CLOCKSPRING ON MY 99 GRAND CARAVAN SE HAS MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON. MY GAUGES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY GOING 65MPH AND CAME RIGHT BACK ON AND MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND ITS LIKE IT JUST COMES AND GOES.

THE FUEL LINE IS NOT SECURED TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT CAME OUT OF ITS OPEN U SHAPED HANGER AND FELL AGAINST THE DRIVELINE. THE DRIVE LINE THEN WORE A HOLE IN THE GAS LINE SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE AND SPEWING FUEL ALL OVER. STRANDING EVERYONE. LUCKILY IT DID NOT START A FIRE FROM THE MUFFLER. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND TIED TO THE HANGER SO THAT IT WILL NOT COME OUT AGAIN.*AK

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *JB

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS SLIPPED OFF SEVERAL TIMES. VISIT CARSURVEY.ORG AND YOU'LL SEE THAT MANY OTHER DODGE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM REGULARLY. SOME ARE GETTING STUCK IN THE FREEZING SNOW AS A RESULT. WE'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS A BURNED OUT COMPUTER BOARD OWED TO A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT FUNCTION. WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, AS A JOURNALIST, IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT DODGE HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE GLITCHES IN THE CARAVAN AND ISSUED ADDITIONAL RECALLS. I'D HAVE MUCH MORE RESPECT FOR THE COMPANY IF THEY DID. WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE RECALL, AND THAT WAS FOR A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

WIPERS NOT WORKING ON 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. SURFING THE WEB AND SAW MANY RELATED ISSUES TO THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THERE WERE ENOUGH REPORTS TO REQUEST A RECALL. I CONSIDER THIS SERIOUS ISSUE DUE TO ROAD CONDITION WHEN THE WIPERS ARE NEEDED AND THE VISION IMPACT ALSO. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM. *JB

TO: WHOM IT MAY CONCERNS: I AM WRITING TO YOU AS A DISSATISFIED DODGE CARAVAN OWNER. I PURCHASED MY VAN BRAND NEW ON MARCH 1999. I HAVE HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT: A) ON JANUARY 24, 2000 WE REPLACED THE , SENSOR, TRANSAX LE, TURBIN INPUT IN THE TRANSMISSION. B) FEBRUARY 17, 2000 WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. C) FEBRUARY 20, 2001. WE REPLACED THE EVAPORETOR, SUCTION LINE, LIQUID LINE AND THE COIL IN THE AIR CONDITION UNIT. D) REPLACED THE WINDOW LIFT MOTOR. E) JANUARY 8,2002 REPLACED SOP BELT TENSIONER COIL . F) JANUARY 4,2002 REPLACE THE BATTERY. G) MARCH 2, 2002 REPLACED WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. H) JUNE 2, 2002 REPLACED FUEL SEAL. I) NOVEMBER 13, 2002 REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE VALVE OF THE A/C NOW THEY ARE ASKING US TO REPLACE THE EVAPORETOR AND THE COMPRESSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED BY MAROONE DODGE ON FEBRUARY 2001!!! ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT AUTHORIZE DODGE DEALER: MAROONE DODGE LOCATED: 21151 N.W 2ND AVE MIAMI, FL 33169 TEL: 305-653-6343. WE FEEL THAT FOR 44,000 MILES CAR WE SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCED SO MUCH PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WITH THE A/C WHICH WAS FIXED IN 2001. WE HOPE YOU WILL CORRECT THE WRONG AND REPAIRED THE CAR WITH NO COST TO US.SINCERELY DAVID AND HONEY BOUGANIM 239 ATLANTIC ISLE SUNNY ISLES, FL 33160 TEL: 305-945-5354

CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT ADDRESS OUR FAMILIES CONCERNS, SUGGESTED IF I COMPLAINED FURTHER THEY WOULD PRESS HARRASMENT CHARGES. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED. *AK

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE UTILITY TRAILER SAFETY. *SMD THE DRIVER OF A MINIVAN ALONG WITH SIX OTHER PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION ON A RURAL ROAD, WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY A TRAILER LOADED WITH CRUSHED VEHICLES, THAT HAD BROKEN LOOSE FROM A TRACTOR TRAILER HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, WIRING HARNESS REPLACED, AND PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.*MR THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH EMC DS2000 ADAPTIVE STEERING AND EMC EGB. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S FAILURE ALARMS CONSTANTLY SOUNDED. ON ONE OCCASION THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR TRAIN OF THE ENCODERS WERE DAMAGED. BOTH ENCODER GEARS AS WELL AS THE ENCODER ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. *NM