ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY

Mar 08, 2002 — Recall Campaign #02V076000

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 545,311 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

02V076000

Manufacturer:	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall date:	March 08, 2002
NHTSA Campaign #:	02V076000
Units affected:	545,311

Description:: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequeces:: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. B09.ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Complaints
Strut mounts are very rusty, the Chrysler recommended repair could not be done, due to extensive rust around the strut tower. This is confirmed by many other owners of this year and generation of vehicle. The vehicle is is good shape except for this and the problem was caused by a manufacturing defect which allowed rusting in the strut towers. This problem started happening approximately when it was just 10 years old or less and got worse and worse over the years. I have not driven it for many years because it seems very unsafe.;
1999 DODGE CARAVAN Complaints
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.;
1999 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER Complaints
THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE I AM OUT AND ABOUT AND AFTER RETURNING THE MY VEHICLE I GO IN AND WHEN I START THE VEHICLE IT WILL START AND SHUT ITSELF OFF. SEEMS TO HAPPENS WHEN I USE IT FREQUENTLY OR ON HOTTER DAYS. ALSO THE PANEL INSIDE THE CAR THAT TELLS YOU YOUR SPEED THE GAS YOU HAVE THE GEARS ALL THAT STUFF WILL STOP FUNCTIONING BUT THE CAR WILL STILL BE DRIVABLE. THAT WILL HAVE I'S OWN TIME WHEN IT TOO DECIDES WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK AND WHEN IT WILL WORK. THESE DO NOT HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. THEY HAPPEN SEPARATELY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ALARM ISSUES LOCKING THE VEHICLE BUT IT HAPPENS EVEN WHEN THE ALARM IS USED PROPERLY. THEN AT A LATER TIME THE VEHICLE WILL START AND WORK AS IT HAD ONCE BEFORE. VEHICLE RUNS GREAT IT JUST OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT TURN ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY SAY IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I GOT A SECOND OPINION AND THAT MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NEITHER MECHANIC DOES ELECTRICAL WORK. ONE STATED THERE ARE SO MANY CODES HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME AND SO HE GAVE ME THE VEHICLE BACK. AND SAID IT IS WORKING FINE NOW. AND THAT IS WHERE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ELECTRICAL PARTS FAILING THE MECHANICS WANT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN THEY GET TO IT IT IS FINE THEREFORE FEEL IT IS BEST TO JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS IT HAPPENED THE SECOND DAY. THEN MECHANIC FIXED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A LOSE WIRE. BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED 5 TO EIGHT TIMES WITH A FEW OF THOSE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE STARTING REMOVING FROM TOW OR RIGHT BEFORE GOING ON TOW. I USUALLY JUST GO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AT A LATER TIME WHEN IT HAS TIME TO REST. I GO BACK AND START IT AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. ONLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE NEVER WHILE DRIVING. THE GADGETS ARE THE ONES THAT STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE VEHICLE THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.;