1997 Eagle Vision

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 EAGLE VISION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INNER TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INNER TIE RODS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10444559

Incident

Jan 14, 2012

Mileage

70,000 mi

PURCHASED THE CAR 01/24/09 IT WAS LEAKING FLUIDS, CUTTING OFF AFTER DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY,AND REVVING ON IT'S ON WHILE IN PARK. TOOK IT INTO THE PLACE I GOT IT FROM WITH MY OWN LIST OF THINGS AS WELL AS A LIST OF CARS. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK IT STILL DID THE SAME THING A WEEK LATER. IT STOPPED RUNNING 04/09 HAD TO GET IT TOWED 3 TIMES. GOT IT TOWED TO THE PLACE I GOT IT FROM AND THEY KEPT IT FOR ABOUT 2WEEKS AND THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE EXCEPT IT STARTS NOW BUT IT HAS OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL AND I HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT EVERY MONTH. THEY ARE ALSO CHARGING ME A ARM AND LEG WHEN THEY KNEW THE CAR HAD PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I ALSO TOOK IT UP THERE BEFORE THEN AND THEY KEPT ACTING LIKE I HAD TO LEAVE IT FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE OTHER TIMES THEY KEPT IT DIDN'T GET FIXED. WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING IT ONLY LAST FOR A WEEK OR 2 THEN IT BREAKS DOWN AGAIN AND THEY ARE CHARGING ME DOUBLE THE BLUEBOOK VALUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10270051

Incident

Feb 3, 2009

Mileage

154,252 mi

SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AFTER DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY, AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL, THE CAR BEGAN GOING STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING! LUCKELY, NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND I MANAGED TO PUT ON THE BRAKES BEFORE I HIT SOMETHING. I FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED! ADDITIONALLY, BOTH FRONT TIRES NOW MOVED COMPLETELY INDEPENDANT OF EACH OTHER (ONE WOULD STAY STRAIGHT WHILE THE OTHER COULD VEER TO THE RIGHT!!) THIS MADE EVEN GETTING THE CAR UP ON A TOW BED ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE (ONE PERSON ON EACH SIDE MANHANDLING THE WHEELS TO GET IT TO ROLL UP STRAIGHT!) UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT BOTH THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE TIE-RODS TO THE STEERING RACK HAD SUDDENLY SHEERED OFF, LEAVING BOTH TIE-RODS LOOSE AND DANGLING!! PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY LOOSENESS OR SLOP IN THE STEERING, NOR DID I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ANY UNUSUAL FORCE TO BE EXERTED ON THE FRONT WHEELS. I HAD JUST FINISHED DRIVING 50-55MPH ON THE 2-LANE OREGON COAST HWY, A SCENIC BUT DANGEROUS STRETCH OF ROAD. IF THE BOLTS HAD GIVEN OUT 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT, OR MORE LIKELY KILLED! THIS MY CAR THAT I USE FOR WORK, AND WILL HAVE TO REPAIR IT, BUT HONESTLY...I'M REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT!!

NHTSA ID

10185540

Incident

Mar 17, 2007

Mileage

136,885 mi

1997 EAGLE VISION WITH 64K MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION ON BRAKING, DURING INSPECTION THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR IS WORN AND EXHIBITS TOO MUCH PLAY. INTERNET SEARCH RESULTS REVEAL THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS FAMILY OF VEHICLES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10176341

Incident

Dec 17, 2006

Mileage

64,000 mi

EAGLE VISION - 1997 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CASUALTY DUE TO THE SHEARING OFF OF BOLTS FROM THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MECHANISM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155268

Incident

Apr 12, 2006

Mileage

135,000 mi

RECENTLY HAD AN ISSUE REGARDING SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF CAR. UPON INSPECTION AND REPAIR FROM MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION, IT WAS LEAKAGE OF GAS FROM MY FUEL INJECTORS IN MY 1997 EAGLE VISION. THE "O" RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE SAME "O" RINGS THAT WERE REPAIRED/REPLACED IN A 1997 RECALL (98V184000) ON MY 1997 EAGLE VISION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10131686

Incident

Aug 4, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH CRACKED SEAL RAILS. THIS WAS TH FOURTH REPLACEMENT. IT WAS LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE, AND WAS GETTING 5 MILES TO THE GALLON. ALSO, WENT THROUGH 2 FUEL PUMPS, AND 3 WATER PUMPS. FRONT END BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10123945

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

Mileage

30,000 mi

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PAN. CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10097711

Incident

Jul 26, 2004

Mileage

97,560 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.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

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.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.