NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frontal
1440.0%
Recliner
617.1%
Engine
411.4%
Rear
38.6%
AIR Conditioner
25.7%
Switch
25.7%
Latch
25.7%
Rotor
25.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 5Jun 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Plymouth Sundance
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...
RQ99006Opened 13 May 1999Closed 2 Feb 2000SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURE
THE SEAT RECLINER'S LOWER BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK CAUSING THE SET BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING.
PE96008Opened 25 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Recalls on the 1993 Plymouth Sundance
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
99V212000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER SEAT BACK ATTACHING BOLT ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN FAIL AND SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE BOLT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Harrisburg, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 25 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, GOING THROUGH 2 STOP SIGNS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE, VEHICLE KEPT GOING IN CIRCLES. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT A LOW CONCRETE BARRIER IN PARKING LOT. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8014510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilson, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO IGNITION THE KEY DIDN'T TURN AT ALL. THEN, IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #864335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRVING ABOUT 50 MPH THE REAR PANEL THAT GOES FROM THE WINDOW TO THE BACK SEAT, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUGHT ON FIRE CLOSE TO THE ROOF. IN AUGUST 1997 THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #837676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rodchester Hills, MICrash1 injured
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FOUR CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND HIT THE DRIVER. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP LAYING IN THE REAR SEAT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rodchester Hills, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FOUR CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND HIT THE DRIVER. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP LAYING IN THE REAR SEAT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY1 injured
SEATS
VEHICLE REARENDED WHILE AT STOP. FRONT SEAT BOLT BROKE CAUSING SEAT TO FALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #536935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 53,500 milesSanta Rosa, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE ON A 1993 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE HAS A ANTI-SWAY BAR WELDED INSIDE THE AXLE. THE SWAY BAR OR THE WELDS BROKE CAUSING A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE REAR AXLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. SEVERAL MECHANICS STATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. COST TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE IS WILL OVER 1000.00. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 25 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, GOING THROUGH 2 STOP SIGNS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE, VEHICLE KEPT GOING IN CIRCLES. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT A LOW CONCRETE BARRIER IN PARKING LOT. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8014510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monrovia, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
IN 6/99 I PAID $950.00 TO REPLACE THE REAR TRAILING ARM AT THE MENTIONED DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART WAS NEW AND AN ORIGINAL . I REPLACED THIS PART BECAUSE MY SAFETY WAS IN DANGER. JUST LAST WEEK, I TOOK THE CAR IN BECAUSE OF A SQEEKING NOISE AND THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PART, TOLD ME IT WAS BROKE AGAIN. I ASKED HIM HOW COULD THAT BE WHEN THE PART THAT CAME WITH THE CAR LASTED 143,000 MILES AND 6 YEARS AND THIS ONE ONLY LASTED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES? HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT KNOW NOR COULD HE PROVIDE ME PROOF THAT THEY INSTALLED THE PART CORRECTLY AND OR USED A NEW ONE. HE SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE MY SAFETY WAS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE THE REAR END WOULD SOON SWAY OUT OF CONTROL. I FELT THIS WAS UNFAIR AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ANYONE THERE COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY . I CALLED THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND TALKED TO DEREK, WHO TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF MY TIME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH HIS OFFICE ABOUT A PART OUT OF WARRANTY THAT " IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF MY TIME BECAUSE CHRYSLER WAS CUT AND DRY ON THEIR RESPONSES" WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO HIS DIRECT REPORT, HE TOLD ME " HE WAS IT AND THAT HIS DIRECT REPORTS DO NOT SPEAK TO THE CUSTOMERS. WHAT ASSURANCE DO I HAVE NOW FROM CHRYLSER AS A CONSUMER ? BY THEIR ACTIONS, CHRYSLER HAS DEMONSTRATED TO ME THAT NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY, THEY ARE NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF WORK THEY ARE DOING OR NOT DOING AT MY EXPENSE. I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND PAY GOOD MONEY TO HAVE THE DEALER FIX THESE PROBLEMS .
NHTSA complaint #754072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garnerville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ONCE CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN CAMSHAFT. THE CAMSHAFT SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES , THE PULLEY WITH ONE CAM LOBE AND THE REST OF CAMSHAFT COMPOSED THE TWO PARTS... BEEN DRIVING OVER THIRTY YEARS---NEVER HAD A CAMSHAFT JUST BREAK IN TWO PIECES.
NHTSA complaint #743864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Munster, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE - 35,700 MI. - DAMLIER CHRYSLER WILL NOT PARTICIPATE AT ALL IN REPAIR - $1600/$1850 REPAIR COSTS - THIS TRANSMISSION HAS KNOWN HIGH FAILURE RATE DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS.
NHTSA complaint #741383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
RECENTLY MY M/V STARTED LEAKING FUEL FROM A FUEL LINE. I THOUGH THAT THE LEAK WAS DUE TO AGE AND TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. AFTER HE LOOKED AT THE FUEL LINE HE INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CUT BY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE RUBBING AGAINST IT. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS A DEFECT IT'S A FIRE DANGER TO OCCUPANTS OF THE M/V AND PUBLIC AT LARGE
NHTSA complaint #733846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackensack, NJ
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLEY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING DOORS TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSED BY CORRODED SPRING WITHIN THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM.
NHTSA complaint #867694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilson, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO IGNITION THE KEY DIDN'T TURN AT ALL. THEN, IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #864335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cruces, NM
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL REPAIR NOT COMPLETED DUE TO DEALER/PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *MJS (99V-212)
NHTSA complaint #550699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sand Lake, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #99V212000. CONTACTED DEALER. INFORMED CONSUMER SEAT HAD TO BE ORDERED. TOOK VEHICLE ON DATE GIVEN. SEAT HAD NOT ARRIVED. SEAT IN VEHICLE WAS BROKEN & WENT BACKWARDS. WAS NOT GIVEN ANY INDICATION WHEN SEAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. WOULD NEED TO TEAR EXISTING SEAT APART TO REPAIR & NOT REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #851763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RED Hill, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINING ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT CONSUMER'S COST. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS SAFETY MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #849318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, DE
AIR BAGS
WHILE USING AIR CONDITIONER THE FAN STOPPED AND SMOKED ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE DASH OR THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTERWARDS THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #844168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, DE
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE USING AIR CONDITIONER THE FAN STOPPED AND SMOKED ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE DASH OR THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTERWARDS THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #844168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS FAIL CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, REPAIRS ON SIX OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT APPROX. 40 MPH, BACK REST FELL BACKWARD, AND ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. SEEKING HELP IN THE MATTER FROM NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #846616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delton, MI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN TURNING CORNERS THERE IS SOMETHING HITTING AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT OWNERS EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #846246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freeport, IL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CHYRSLER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #844680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley, UT
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
STARTING IN 1996, I NOTICED SMALL PAINT CHIPS/PEELINGS ON THE TOP, HOOD AND TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE. I THOUGHT THEY OCCURRED FROM ROCK CHIPS OR SOMETHING. ONCE THE PEELING CONTINUED AND I FOUND OTHER PEELING ON THE SIDES AND TRUNK, I KNEW IT WAS DAMAGE FROM THE PAINT IT SELF AND NOT WEATHER OR ROCKS! IT HAS PEELED SO MUCH IT IS EMBARRASSING AND ABSOLUTLEY RIDICULOUS!! I CAN'T EVEN WASH MY CAR WITHOUT IT DAMAGING MORE. IT ALMOST LOOKS AS IF IT IS GOING TO CAUSE RUST TO MY VEHICLE ALSO. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND CURED. I EXPECT IT TO BE SO FROM PLYMOUTH, AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT IS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED, JUST PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #708756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRVING ABOUT 50 MPH THE REAR PANEL THAT GOES FROM THE WINDOW TO THE BACK SEAT, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUGHT ON FIRE CLOSE TO THE ROOF. IN AUGUST 1997 THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #837676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Spring, CO
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT COVER SNOW STREET, GOING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #832506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rodchester Hills, MICrash1 injured
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FOUR CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND HIT THE DRIVER. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP LAYING IN THE REAR SEAT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rodchester Hills, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FOUR CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND HIT THE DRIVER. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP LAYING IN THE REAR SEAT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY1 injured
SEATS
VEHICLE REARENDED WHILE AT STOP. FRONT SEAT BOLT BROKE CAUSING SEAT TO FALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #536935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coventry, RI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING,THE FRONT SPLIT SEAT BACK (DRIVER SIDE) SNAP AND FELL BACK; CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE,ALMOST CAUSING A SEROUS ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND ACCEPT RESPONABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #824269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beacon, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE CYLINDER FROZE.
NHTSA complaint #535347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.