This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Was driving vehicle when distributor bearings seized up and caused transaxle to loosen up. Transmission then failed. Vehicle is an all wheel drive. Towed to dealership. Mechanic indicated plug on transmission canister cap had melted. This happened at 78,000 miles. Had transmission replaced with new transmission. Problem reappeared in new transmission. Had previously smelled sulfur like fumes inside vehicle. Vehicle gave big jerk, and made a loud noise before coming to a stop. Also, noticed grayish smoke in rear. At dealership, mechanic noticed plug, made of plastic, had melted like the first one.
Radiator leak causing anti freeze to enter transmission and cause complete transmission failure. $2100 repair after owning vehicle 1 year, total milage 58620. Seems to be a rather common problem. Please investigate
Van in reverse backing out of my garage, we heard a large knock from the engine and the van rocked. At this point the van locked up, could not move in reverse or drive. The vehicle was locked up to the point that it could not be pushed in nuetral, the tires even skid on the driveway when being pulled onto the back to the tow truck. Transmission repair ($1800) required. Was told that "planetary" exploded and destroyed transmission, a typical problem with Chrysler 3 speed transmissions. Called Chrysler customer service, but denied any help due to over warranty and did not purchase an extended warranty (they just want money). It didn't matter that I had transmission service in Jan. 01 and everything looked fine. This a very dangerous problem, I had my wife and 2 and 4 year old children in the van. What happens if vehicle locks up on the highway?? please look into this before someone gets killed.
- Jonestown, PA, USA
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While driving at 25 mph consumer noticed white smoke coming from tail pipe. Then, white smoke and flames were coming from under the hood. Consumer stopped car and turned ignition off. Consumer exited the car, and vehicle caught on fire. Consumer feels this may related to recall for fuel leakage. Consumer states vehicle was in shop for transmission problems on February 16th, 2001.
While driving vehicle suddenly slowed down and eventually stopped. After dealer inspected vehicle it was determined that gear had broken, affecting transmission.
I have experienced failures in my steering colmn which does not allow me to use my horn, cruise control, and I am afraid that my air bag does not work. The airbag light stays on along with ABS and intermitant other lights. I have had to repair my transmission and it still does not work properly. Slipping from time to time. The rear A/C fan switch only works in the low and high position. Trassmision gives off a burning smell when hot.
Consumer was pulling into garage and heard a noise coming from underneath of vehicle. It was a broken pin from transmission. Dealership told her that transmission had to be replaced.
3rd gear clutch pack in transmission failed and vehicle stuck in second gear. Research has shown that these transmissions have an extremely high failure rate at low mileage.
While driving 25 mph in middle of intersection vehicle stopped moving, but engine was running. Ttok vehicle to dealer who found that transmission needed to be replaced.
While driving the overdrive transmission failed causing the van to suddenly begin to loose power due to poor construction and design, as the consumer continued to depress the accelerator the vehicle continued to slow down until it would no longer move. Nlm
Airbag light came on and horn stopped working, mechanic stated clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. Also consumer was having problem with the radio that has been worked on five times and replaced twice and still doesnot work to consumer's satisfaction, consumer also had brakes replaced, also the tensioner belt on the timing belt, also the water pump broke, also transmission went out.
When driving in a parking lot and attempting to pull into a parking space consumer noticed a noise coming from front end, placed vehicle in reverse and vehicle would not respond, then placed vehicle in drive, and the vehicle would not respond in drive, consumer contacted dealer and dealer noticed major problems within transmission and oil pan, transmission needed replacing.
We have already fixed the transmission three times and this will be the fourth. We have had a breakdown a year after the first repair. Exactly a year later it breaks down again. Then eight months later it breaks down for a third time. Now exactly a year later it breaks down for a fourth time. They insinuate it is our driving but then this should have happened with all of the cars we have owned. We are not careless or inexperienced drivers. Who would be responsible the manufacturer or the repair company (in this case aamco)?
Was driving vehicle when it started to lose power. Gears were not shifting properly. Then would regain power. Computer was going off. Took to mechanic, and was informed cylinder head gasket was causing problem, and it could be repaired. The head gasket was determined defective by the mechanic. Water was leaking into the engine causing the computer to malfunctions.
While traveling at 55 mph engine immediately shifted down to 25 mph, and consumer could not go over 30mph. Took vehicle to dealer, and transmission/ engine mounts had to be replaced. There were no recalls for this defect.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Slinger, WI, USA