While on a weekend trip, the air bag clock spring broke. Consumer had been having problems with the air bag light illuminating and the horn working every once in a while.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

Horn stopped working. Vehicle repaired by dealer who advised the consumer that the clock spring was defective. Consumer was in a parking lot and a vehicle started to back out of a parking space, consumers horn wouldn't work. Consumer feels that the horn and cruise control are/were defective and the manufacturer should pay the cost of repair. (146.78)

- Waco, TX, USA

Investigation currently open by NHTSA EA01007. My airbag light would come on and sometimes extinguish during driving but come back on later. Finally the airbag light stayed on constantly. Over the course of a month, the cruise control and horn quit working as well. I inadvertantly stumbled across this open NHTSA case while looking for a wiring diagram to begin looking into the horn problem first. While the van is 6 years old I understand that Dodge/Plymouth have replaced over 400,000 clock spring assemblies. The dealership charged me $223.30 to replace the part including labor. It would seem that a fair amount of these assemblies have failed which I would expect to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. I would have been willing to pay for the part if Dodge/Plymouth would install it for free. Not only did they charge to install it, they were ready to charge me an additional $70 diagnostic fee if that wasn't the problem. I'm very disappointed that Dodge/Plymouth is very well aware of this problem which is obviously safety related as I have driven around for 2 - 3 months with an airbag light on which I'm sure others are doing and then they make a nice profit on charging me to fix a defect they are very well aware of. If I can answer any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Zachary, LA, USA

The horn quit working, cruise contron quit working, air bag light remained lit after starting.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

Engine light stays on, airbag light stays on, horn and cruise control inoperable. Suspect defective clockspring est cost to repair $250-400.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

This clock sring mechanism is in the steering wheel and controls your airbags, directional signals, horn and cruise control. It's my understanding that your airbags do not work when this mechanism is broken. I had just replced this part 12 months earlier.

- Royse City, TX, USA

Seems to be a common problem with Chrysler vans. Something to do with a clock spring, that is in the steering wheel column. I have found other examples on the internet and there was mention of a class action law suite. Costs around $190 to $260 to fix. My father in laws Chrysler van has same problem with air bag light. Not sure about horn.

- Rowland Heights, CA, USA

During hot weather dash air bag indicator light illuminated, horn did not function & cruise control no longer functioned. Certified service center has identified problem is due to clock spring in steering column (ref NHTSA action #: EA01007). Air bag light came on first...cruise control still work intermittently. Did not become aware of horn malfunction until needed for collision avoidance (near miss, no damage). Reference NHTSA recall # 98V046 for same issue in different make vehicle by same manufacturer. Reference Chrysler tsb # 08-010-01 May 01 that covers broad range of makes and models. This investigation was opened in Feb-2001. Why was a recall issued on Wrangler and not minivan when both use same system?

- Delavan, WI, USA

Airbag light continuously illuminates. Dealer indicated that the clock spring was bad. I understand that from other complaints that I may be able to look forward to both my horn and cruise control becoming inoperable in the future. I can't believe that a non-moving part such as this would fail. It should last the life of the vehicle.

- Centerville, OH, USA

Air bag warning lite illuminates. Dealer reports that the air bag clockspring needs to be replaced at a cost of $350. Contacted Chrysler customer service on 5/20/02 and Chrysler offered to pay half of the cost of the repair.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Consumer state while driving, and without any indication, the air bag indicator stayed illuminated, also the horn and cruse control was inoperable. The dealer has been contacted and determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced.

- Houtzdale, PA, USA

Air bag light will come and stay on until consumer turns vehicle off. Contacted dealer.

- New York, NY, USA

Consumer stating that clock spring failed causing, air bag indicator light to flick on and off, cruise control intermittent failure and then total failure and horn failed.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Ea 01 007/air bag clockspring: Consumer states air bag light remain on while driving and the horn is inoperative. Dealer was not notified at this time. Nlm

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

Air bag light flickered then stayed on, cruise intermittent, no horn.

- Marysville, OH, USA

Airbag light has come on, and horn and cruise control stopped working.

- Westminster, CA, USA

Consumer states while depressing horn. Horn would not sound off. When depressing speed control vehicle would not switch over. Consumer was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. Nlm

- St Paul, MO, USA

While driving, air bag light illuminated on dashboard, horn does not work. Possible clockspring failure.

- Westberry, NY, USA

Consumer stating that clock spring failed causing, air bag indicator light to flick on and off, cruise control intermittent failure and then total failure and horn failed.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA