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.
2000 Dodge Caravan swerved to avoid a deer and went off the road at a speed over 55 mph, striking the front end and undercarriage as it careened down and then up a drainage ditch, to the extent that parts of the van were torn away from the vehicle and causing the transmission to disengaged. The van then went through a wooden fence striking one of the main posts within the angle outlined on the pamphlet Dodge sent in response to my complaint, and finally crashed into a pine tree. The Caravan was totaled. The airbags did not deploy resulting in multiple injuries: To the drivers left arm, head when it bounced off the steering wheel repeatedly knocking her unconscious, injuries to the neck and back, and right ribs from the seat belt. We contacted daimler Chrysler and were sent a form letter denying any fault in deployment. Subsequently we found that there was in fact a recall issued in October 2004 citing the airbag clock spring.
: the contact stated there is a clicking noise coming from the steering column. In may of 2003, the steering column was replaced and in January of 2004 the clock springs were replaced. In may of 2004, the steering was replaced for the second time and the clock springs were again replaced in August of 2004. There is a NHTSA recall # 04V480000, concerning the air bag clock springs, however when the recall repair was performed on November 11, 2004 it did not remedy the problem. The vehicle is having the same problems again. The dealer has not been notified and no repairs were made. Also, complained about clicking noise in steering, and replaced cclockspring. In addition, replaced canister due to leaking.
The contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 mph and none of the airbags deployed. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The contact was wearing a seat belt. However, she sustained injuries when her chest struck the steering wheel. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a towing garage. An insurance adjustor has not inspected the vehicle due to the holiday. No repairs have been made.
Recall campaign: Clockspring recall. Recall# 04V480000. The consumers vehicle had over 70,000 miles, and the recall was only for vehicle with 0-70,000 miles.
The air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Horn and speed control were operable. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that clock spring needed to be replaced. This vehicle was not on recall.
Dealership is not following the guidelines of the airbag clock spring recall 04V480000 in which the clock spring should be replaced on vehicles that have 70000 miles or less. Instead they are only inspecting the air bags.
The SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The consumer drove to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the clock spring needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.
Air bags deployed inadvertently, without adequate cause on Sunday August 7, 2004 at around 5 P.M. I was traveling in my 2000 Dodge Caravan on a lightly traveled gravel surface road that is rough in spots, at 10 mph or less when both front airbags. I stopped immediately, unaware of what had caused them to deploy in the absence of any front end or side collision. Given that I was seated upright and not thrown forward by any collision, the driver side bag slighlty contacted the left side of my face, scraping it. My reading glasses, placed on the passenger seat, open, upside down and with lenses facing forward, were flattened by the passenger side airbag. I got out of the vehicle and surveyed the situation. A haed-size stone had contacted the leading edge of the muffler and been rolled up and free. Observing no damage of any significance, I consulted my ownerS manual, stuffed the airbags back into their cavities and drove home, somewhat shaken by the experience. I contacted daimler Chrysler. The special investigations team had the vehicle examined. It responded, stating that it feels that the airbags operated properly by deploying in this situation. I challenged the finding and requested a copy of the investigation report. My request was denied by daimler Chrysler claiming the information is proprietary . it advised me to persue repairs through my insurance company, or hire my own investigator and attorney. The repair estimate of record is $2893.63, minus a $500 deductible. I have not accepted a settlement or had the vehicle repaired for fear that my insurer will raise my rates to recover the large payout.
04 V 480 000/air bag clockspring: The air bag light remained on while driving. The dealer was contacted, however they informed the consumer that their vehicle was not covered under that recall.
After starting the vehicle air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn failed intermittently. The dealership repaired the vehicle, however the consumer had to pay for the charges even though there as a recall on models up to 1999.
Air bag light came on intermittently about three weeks ago. Two days later, the air bag light went on and stayed on. I then noticed that the horn and the cruise control did not work on the steering column, however, the horn operates when using the keyless entry system. I called a Dodge dealership on May 24, 2004 and was told that the problem was most likely a bad clock spring that needed replacement. The work requires removal of the steering wheel. I researched this clock spring problem on the internet and it became apparent that clock spring replacment on certain Jeep and Chrysler models is fairly common. Some models have been recalled because of the clock spring problem.
Consumer stated on Aug. 4 2003, due to brake failure the vehicle was involved in a rear end collision with another vehicle. Consumer was not injured in the accident, but none of the air bags deployed. The air bag warning light did not work either.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wewahitchka, FL, USA