The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
The risk
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
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 Cirrus | 1995 | 369 | 7 |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1996 | 160 | 7 |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1997 | 69 | 4 |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 1998 | 69 | 3 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1996 | 343 | 7 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1997 | 210 | 5 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1998 | 267 | 3 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1995 | 318 | 7 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1996 | 554 | 7 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1997 | 349 | 4 |
| Dodge Stratus | 1998 | 272 | 3 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1996 | 182 | 6 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1997 | 155 | 4 |
| Plymouth Breeze | 1998 | 174 | 3 |
Other power train recalls in 1998
27 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the power train; CHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 640 campaigns in all.
| 98V325000 14 Dec 1998 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 98V288000 9 Nov 1998 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 98V290000 9 Nov 1998 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 98V257000 14 Oct 1998 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 98V225002 6 Oct 1998 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 98V168003 5 Oct 1998 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 98V119003 1 Oct 1998 | ATHEY PRODUCTS CORP. |
| 98V236000 29 Sept 1998 | YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998