THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF

May 16, 1997 — Recall Campaign #97V079000

THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 436,000 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

97V079000

Manufacturer:	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall date:	May 16, 1997
NHTSA Campaign #:	97V079000
Units affected:	436,000

Description:: THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequeces:: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING AUGUST 1997. 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 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:

1992 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Complaints
The contact owns a 1992 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the driveway the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake actuator and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V099000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the OEM parts were no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was unknown.;
1992 DODGE CARAVAN C/V Complaints
REFERENCE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN #96V099/13JUNE1996 (RC-96V099-NN.PDF). HRYSLER SAFETY RECAL #685/AUGUST1996_ CHRYSLER W;:TRRANTY BULLETIN #0-96-19.'JUNE 1996. BREACH OF 'MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY AD. OF 1975'. EHIDE: 1992 DODGE CARAVAN CN WFOPTIONAL' 'BENDIX-10 ABS' BRAKE SYSTEM_ MALFOOCTIONS I AM EXPERIENCING ARE FULLY DESAIBED IN NHTSA OD! INVESTIGATIONS #PE94-024, #EA94-028, #EA95-016_ *BF*JB;
1992 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Complaints
ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR MOTOR FAILURE. FOR THE THIRD TIME THE ABS MOTOR HAS FAILED. CHRYSLER CLAIMS THE PART IS NO LONGER SERVICED AND WILL NOT HONOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTEE 96V099000. THE PART IS AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET FOR ABOUT $350.00 AFTER A NUMBER OF CALLS TO FIAT CHRYSLER THEY WOULD ONLY OFFER TO BUY THE VEHICLE FROM ME FOR $300.00 WHICH IS THE LOWEST VALUE TO BE HAD BY KBB.;
1992 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. LODI CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1255 BECKMAN RD, LODI, CA) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE PARTS WERE INCLUDED IN A LIFETIME CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 682; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO HONOR THE CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 189,000.;
1992 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PERFORMED AND THE LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE MOTOR PUMP ASSEMBLY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.;