Chrysler Recalls 2.7 Million Vehicles

[MoPar Man]

Why would this affect, say, a '99 300M but not a '00 ???

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,108313,00.html

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — DaimlerChrysler AG's (search) Chrysler Group is
recalling 2.7 million older model vehicles to replace or repair the
floor-mounted shifter assembly.

Chrysler said Tuesday that an internal investigation showed that when
the floor-mounted shifter button is depressed and pulled with
excessive force when the key is not in the ignition, the vehicle's
ignition interlock system could become inoperative. That could cause
the vehicle to move.

Vehicles affected by the recall include the 1995-1999 Chrysler Cirrus,
Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze; 1996-1999 Sebring convertibles; and
1993-1999 Chrysler 300M, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Dodge
Intrepid and Eagle Vision.

Chrysler said the potential malfunction is likely to be most prevalent
in vehicles that have had multiple drivers, such as those in
commercial or rental fleets because of additional use. The automaker
estimates about 10 percent of the 2.7 million vehicles is likely to be
affected.

Chrysler said it will install stronger components to better withstand
excessive force on the shifter

 

[Daniel J. Stern]

Why would this affect, say, a '99 300M but not a '00 ???

There's a difference between a stupid question and a question asked out of
ignorance or desire to learn. Stupid questions are those that can be
answered if he who asks them would only think about it for a couple of
seconds.

My goodness, what a stupid question you asked.

DS

 

[Richard Benner Jr]

There's a difference between a stupid question and a question asked out of
ignorance or desire to learn. Stupid questions are those that can be
answered if he who asks them would only think about it for a couple of
seconds.

My goodness, what a stupid question you asked.

DS

It doesn't cover the '00 because Chrysler says it doesn't. Possibly
because they changed suppliers or the parts were ALREADY changed in
the '00.
JUST because a vehicle LOOKS almost exactly the same from year to
year, it does not mean that suppliers have not changed. Sometimes
suppliers are changed 1-2-3 time during a model year.

 

[JGM]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,108313,00.html

Chrysler said the potential malfunction is likely to be most prevalent
in vehicles that have had multiple drivers, such as those in
commercial or rental fleets because of additional use.

This is the bit that confuses me. "Additional use?" I thought we were
talking about trying to shift without having the key in the lock. Why would
having multiple drivers make this more likely (other than the fact that, as
with all rentals, you are more likely to have a goofball driver eventually)?

JGM

 

[mic canic]

funny thing to me is we have done recalls to half of those cars for
shifter /shift interlock issues and the grand cherokees too!

 

[MoPar Man]

funny thing to me is we have done recalls to half of those cars for
shifter /shift interlock issues and the grand cherokees too!

Have those fixes included any 2000 (and later) LH models?

 

[Greg Houston]

Why would this affect, say, a '99 300M but not a '00 ???

The general design may have remained the same, but parts may have been
different. The better question is, did they know it was a deficient
design and improve it for '00, or was it just by chance that they had
lousy parts in '99 that only showed up later?

 

[Greg Houston]

This is the bit that confuses me. "Additional use?" I thought we were
talking about trying to shift without having the key in the lock. Why would
having multiple drivers make this more likely (other than the fact that, as
with all rentals, you are more likely to have a goofball driver eventually)?

Excellent question. I didn't get the multiple driver thing either. Assuming my
'99 Intrepid is subject to this recall (and I see no reasons given so far why it
would not be) I'm not going to be in a hurry to get it done. Since it's not
critical for me ( I don't move my shifter handle when the engine isn't on) I'll
wait until the dealer gets plenty of experience.

 

[Steve]

JGM wrote:

I imagine that whateer wears out is related to the number of times the
ignition is cycled and to the number of times the gearshift is moved.
Fleet cars not only get driven, they also get shuttled around parking
lots and car-wash stations between every use, so there's a LOT more wear
on the ignition switch and on the shift lever.

But seeing as its a stupid "nanny" feature anyway, who gives a rip, and
why would anyone actually have the recall done? I mean the company has
to OFFER the recall to avoid liability, but no owner has to have it
performed. My '66 and '69 cars don't have any gear-shift interlock with
the ignition and you don't see them running over crowds and crashing
through garage doors either.

 

[Steve m...]

The reason is that in fleet use with "extra drivers" they have a tendency to
'beat' on the car more. As a result a lot of things that are more sensitive
to failure (like this thing they mention) will fail as a result of multiple
styles of driving.
I did notice on my 94' LHS that it was flimsy. But I never used it to
shift other than just putting it in D. The GP is a different story. It
loves downshifting to 3. It's like a rocket !

Steve m.... (I put 74k miles on it in 2 1/2 years. That qualifies as fleet
use.)

 

[mic canic]

no, actually 99 and older now that u mention it.

Have those fixes included any 2000 (and later) LH models?