1998 Plymouth Voyager

THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR BIND.IN THIS CONDITION THE SEAT BELT IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AS THE WEBBING CANNOT RETRACT OR BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTORS FOR USE.RECALL SCOPE:THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1997 THROUGH 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & CONTRY BUILT ON A SHORT WHEEL BASE CHASSIS.THE INCLUSIVE DATES OF PRODUCTION ARE JUNE 1996 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1999.RECALL REMEDY: DAIMLERCHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTIC SOUND BARRIER PATCHES WITH FOAM BLOCKERS, AS WELL AS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL THIRD ROW REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES CONTAMINATED BY THE MASTIC PATCH.

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THE 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER PASSENGER VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO VEHICLE COLLISION ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY. CAUSE OF THE COLLISION WAS DUE TO THE OTHER INVOLVED VEHICLE, THAT BEING A 2011 KIA SOUL, FAILING TO STAY WITHIN ITS TRAVEL LANE. THE KIA CROSSED OVER INTO THE PATH OF THE PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, WITH BOTH VEHICLES COLLIDING, FRONT/LEFT VS FRONT/LEFT. SPEEDS OF BOTH VEHICLES ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR. BOTH AIR BAGS IN THE KIA DEPLOYED, AS DID THE FRONT/PASSENGER AIRBAG IN THE PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE PLYMOUTH VOYAGER FAILED TO DEPLOY, UNKNOWN WHY. BOTH DRIVERS SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THE COLLISION WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT, PHONE 215-362-2301, POLICE REPORT #2016-00578.

NHTSA ID

10820479

Incident

Jan 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10736032

Incident

Jun 15, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TOWERS ARE CONSUMED BY CORROSION EXPOSING THE STRUT ASSEMBLIES AND SEVERELY WEAKENING THE LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE CAUSING SERIOUS RISK OF STRUT TOWER FAILURE AS ON OR BOTH STRUTS WILL PENETRATE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SHOULD SUCH FAILURE OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WILL RESULT, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680183

Incident

Jan 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF THE PULLEY, CAUSING THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

10488994

Incident

Mar 6, 2012

Mileage

75,000 mi

I OWN A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT A NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY APPEARED AND THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT OPERATING ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO SCAP JEEP/PLYMOUTH/DODGE DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFIELD CT. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT WAS AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TRACE EACH WIRE AND IT WOULD INCLUDE NUMEROUS MAN HOURS. HE ALSO SUGGESTED REPLACING THE MAIN COMPUTER. IF I WANTED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED JUST FINE, JUST COULD NOT TELL MPH, MILEAGE, AUTO DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND AIRBAG, ANTI LOCK BRAKES, IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER GAUGES. THREE DAYS LATER ALL RETURNED TO NORMAL FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN A REPEAT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH NO PATTERN FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS COMPUTERS. IN SPEAKING WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC, HE HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH SAME TYPE VEHICLE AND SAME PROBLEM. THIS CUSTOMER SPENT IN EXCESS OF $2000 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC OPENED THE DASH AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND A WIRE THAT WAS PARTIALLY BROKEN FREE FROM A HARNESS. HE PUSHED THE WIRE COMPLETELY INTO RECEIVER AND PROBLEM SOLVED. DUE TO WIRE BEING FRAYED, HE WENT TO LOCAL JUNK YARD TO GET A USED HARNESS END AND REPLACED SAID PIECE. SAME PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH OUR VEHICLE. WIRE WAS FIXED AND THE ENTIRE JOB WAS LESS THAN 1 HOUR OF LABOR. HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE. PLYMOUTH HAS ISSUED NO RECALLS OR EVEN ANY ALERTS OF THE PROBLEM TO ITS DEALERSHIPS. IN PHONE CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TWO VEHICLES IN THE SAME TOWN ARE THE ONLY ONES TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND HOPE THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND ORDER ANY RECALLS NECESSARY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10455079

Incident

Jul 31, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COMPLETED REPAIR AS PER TSB 07-02-99. DID NOT CORRECT ISSUE. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1996 - 2000 PLYMOUTH/DODGE CARAVANS 3.3L AND 3.8L. VERY DANGEROUS, HAPPENS ON WET/SNOW CONDITIONS. BOTTOM THIRD OF HARMNIC BALANCER IS NOT GUARDED FROM ROAD MOISTURE. CHRYSLER REDESIGNED IN 2001. GATES AFTER MARKET KIT SOLVES PROBLEM GAT 38379K, COST $120-$220 WITH OUT LABOR. DOES THIS MEET THE CRITERIA FOR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10449144

Incident

Jul 2, 2010

Mileage

185,000 mi

THE BELT SLIPS OFF IN THE RAIN CAUSING POWER FAILURE TO EVERYTHING RUNNING OFF THE BELT. NO POWER STEERING, NO COOLING SYSTEM, NO ELECTRICAL CHARGING, NO A/C, AND I BELIEVE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10441013

Incident

Mar 16, 2011

Mileage

119,000 mi

1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TOWERS ARE CONSUMED BY CORROSION EXPOSING THE MCPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLIES AND SEVERELY WEAKENING THE LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE CAUSING SERIOUS RISK OF STRUT TOWER FAILURE AS ON OR BOTH STRUTS WILL PENETRATE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SHOULD SUCH FAILURE OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WILL RESULT, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT COVERED BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) LABELING THE PROBLEM AS MERELY COSMETIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10402633

Incident

May 19, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

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 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.