EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM

May 12, 1997 — Recall Campaign #97V063002

EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 46,000 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

97V063002

Manufacturer:	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall date:	May 12, 1997
NHTSA Campaign #:	97V063002
Units affected:	46,000

Description:: EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.
Consequeces:: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH WITH A SWITCH THAT UTILIZES REDUCED LUBRICATING GREASE, IMPROVED CONTACT SURFACE, AND A DIFFERENT RUBBER ISOLATION BOOT.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED INTO THREE MAILINGS WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING DURING AUGUST 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Affects the following:

1993 DODGE COLT Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE COLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CABLE WAS CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,194 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.;
1993 EAGLE SUMMIT WAGON Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 EAGLE SUMMIT WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. OVER TIME, THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS COULD LEAD TO THE CABLE'S MOVEMENT AND EXERT ABRADING FORCE TO THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER. AS A RESULT, THE CABLE COULD DROP OUT OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE BECOMING STUCK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART THAT WAS NEEDED WAS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.;
1993 PLYMOUTH COLT Complaints
WHEN CONSUMER IS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE VEHICLE DOOR, THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE WILL NOT RETRACT, THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES AND STOP, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, BELT STAYS IN FORWARD POSITION AT ALL TIMES AND A CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN #97V073002 FOR THIS CONDITION. *AK *TT;