The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE RIGHT REAR "65%" SEAT CENTER LOWER ANCHOR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A WIRE DIAMETER THAT IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DIMENSION AS SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD.
The risk
IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CENTER ANCHOR AND, IF NECESSARY, RESIZE THE ANCHOR TO MEET THE DIAMETER SPECIFIED WITHIN THE STANDARD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2001 |
Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2001 | 618 | 5 |
Other seats recalls in 2002
8 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the seats; DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 203 campaigns in all.
| 02V314000 19 Nov 2002 | VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC. |
| 02V307000 14 Nov 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V253000 17 Sept 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V251000 17 Sept 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V155000 13 Jun 2002 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 02V141000 20 May 2002 | MID BUS INCORPORATED |
| 02V134000 16 May 2002 | VERITRANS SPECIALTY VEHICLES |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002