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.
Lock
1425.9%
Hatchback/Liftgate
1018.5%
Buckle Assembly
713.0%
Gasoline
611.1%
Support Device/Strut
611.1%
Engine
59.3%
Carburetor System
35.6%
Latch
35.6%
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 16Apr 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Plymouth Voyager
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.
EA94005Opened 31 Jan 1994Closed 25 Oct 1995STRUCTURE
LIFTGATE LATCHES
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT...
EA91010Opened 10 Dec 1990Closed 31 Dec 1991POWER TRAIN
TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
EA90030Opened 31 May 1990Closed 24 Sep 1990EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS
PE90079Opened 7 May 1990Closed 2 Oct 1990VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS
===
EA90011Opened 23 Feb 1990Closed 28 Feb 1991EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UNDERDASH FIRES
PE90030Opened 9 Jan 1990Closed 31 May 1990EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
PE89170Opened 26 Sep 1989Closed 23 Feb 1990ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
UNDERDASH FIRES
PE88095Opened 22 Aug 1988Closed 15 Feb 1989SEATS
BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT
Recalls on the 1987 Plymouth Voyager
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
08E033000
SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
95I001008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
95I001004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Port Angeles, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRAVELING IN CENTRAL OREGON, WE PULLED INTO A REST STOP AND ON RETURNING TO THE CAR IT WAS ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENTIRE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ALL BURNED UP. WE HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE AND FIND TRANSPORTATION HOME.
NHTSA complaint #745983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morehead, NCCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXMATELY 20-30 MPH WHEN HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT.ELECTRONIC SEAT WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO LOCK UP OR STOP ON ANY TYPE OF IMPACT WAS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO GO FORWARD. CONSUMER HIT DASH BOARD/CHEST. HIT STEERING WHEEL. SEAT DID NOT MAINTAIN POSITION ON IMPACT. ELECTRONIC SEAT DID NOT HOLD.
NHTSA complaint #820577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OLD Forge, PACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. UPON IMPACT, THE HOOD LATCH BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE HOOD, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #825716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montrose, PACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT HOLD. OWNER FURTHER NOTES THAT INVESTIGATOR DID LOOK AT SEAT BELTS AND DETERMINED THAT THEY DID NOT RETRTACT, ALSO THEY DID NOT LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #812041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montrose, PACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT HOLD. OWNER FURTHER NOTES THAT INVESTIGATOR DID LOOK AT SEAT BELTS AND DETERMINED THAT THEY DID NOT RETRTACT, ALSO THEY DID NOT LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #812041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #810326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 233,872 milesPeoria, IL
TIRES
DOUGLAS X-TRAC TIRES 205/70R14S.
NHTSA complaint #10223344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Campbell, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MAJOR ENGINE DEFECTS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ardmore, PA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD FLEW OPEN, BREAKING WINDSHIELD. NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #892864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Angeles, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRAVELING IN CENTRAL OREGON, WE PULLED INTO A REST STOP AND ON RETURNING TO THE CAR IT WAS ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENTIRE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ALL BURNED UP. WE HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE AND FIND TRANSPORTATION HOME.
NHTSA complaint #745983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BELEIVE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED AND RESOLD TO ME WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #736087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I BELEIVE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED AND RESOLD TO ME WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #736087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eatontown, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BOTH OF THESE FAILURES ARE SAFETY ISSUES. PEELING PAINT CAN CAUSE WINDSHIELD FAILURE. DELAMINATING HEADLINER IS A DRIVING DISTRACTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #727476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #606421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morehead, NCCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXMATELY 20-30 MPH WHEN HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT.ELECTRONIC SEAT WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO LOCK UP OR STOP ON ANY TYPE OF IMPACT WAS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO GO FORWARD. CONSUMER HIT DASH BOARD/CHEST. HIT STEERING WHEEL. SEAT DID NOT MAINTAIN POSITION ON IMPACT. ELECTRONIC SEAT DID NOT HOLD.
NHTSA complaint #820577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
S. Coast Metro, CA
TIRES
WINSTON (20570R14) TIRE BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #538646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa Park, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ENGINE HAS A DEFECTIVE EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND SMOKE IN EXHAUST IN IDLE POSITION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #825871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OLD Forge, PACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. UPON IMPACT, THE HOOD LATCH BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE HOOD, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #825716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ACCIDENTAL FIRE, UNSPECIFIED FUEL LEAK IN EITHER THE CARBURETOR OR GASOLINE SUPPLY HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #511390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W.bloomfield, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #603455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W.bloomfield, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
GEAR SHIFT PROBLEM, SOMETIMES HAVE TO YANK OUT OF PARK.
NHTSA complaint #603455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W.bloomfield, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP LEAKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #603455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W.bloomfield, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AND HESITATES.
NHTSA complaint #603455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston-Salem, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING AT 65MPH W/SPEED CONTROL ON; HAD STARTED APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN; SPEED CONTROL LOCKED UP; WAS EXITING FREEWAY & STILL SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE; BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN; HAD TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT TURNING VEHICLE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #814955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montrose, PACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT HOLD. OWNER FURTHER NOTES THAT INVESTIGATOR DID LOOK AT SEAT BELTS AND DETERMINED THAT THEY DID NOT RETRTACT, ALSO THEY DID NOT LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #812041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montrose, PACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT HOLD. OWNER FURTHER NOTES THAT INVESTIGATOR DID LOOK AT SEAT BELTS AND DETERMINED THAT THEY DID NOT RETRTACT, ALSO THEY DID NOT LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #812041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SEATS
UPON GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE SEAT TRACK BROKE UNDER THE SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #811863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #810326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AIR ASPIRATOR VALVE FAILED, RELEASING HOT EXHAUST FUMES INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #514811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
AIR ASPIRATOR VALVE FAILED, RELEASING HOT EXHAUST GASSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING A RUBBER HOSE AND PLASTIC BOX. A POTENTIAL FOR UNDER HOOD FIRE OR EXHAUST GASSES ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #546618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.