Safety Regulators Probe New Chrysler Vehicles

by Staff

July 23, 2003

1 min to read

US safety regulators said on July 22 that they have opened an investigation into 450,000 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles made by DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler arm and have upgraded an investigation into 217,000 Chrysler cars, Reuters reported. According to Reuters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the Durango probe after receiving four complaints that the upper ball joint in the front suspension could fail, causing the driver to lose control. In two complaints, the wheel separated; in the other two, the suspension collapsed, the report said. The news agency said the upgraded investigation involves problems with the interlock between the ignition and the transmission on 1999 Plymouth Breeze and Dodge Stratus cars and Chrysler Sebring convertibles. According to Reuters, NHTSA said it had found 113 complaints where the key could be removed from the ignition without the transmission in park, or where the transmission could be shifted out of park with the ignition off, both of which led to the vehicles rolling unexpectedly. The complaints include reports of 28 accidents and five minor injures, Reuters added.

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