Chrysler Corporation: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Chrysler Corporation reported this defect to federal regulators on Aug 6, 1998 and put the number of vehicles at risk at 685,000. The repair is free for as long as the recall stands.
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.
14 model years covered
Newest first| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Chrysler Cirrus | 69 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| 1998 Chrysler Sebring | 267 | 10 | 5 | 33 |
| 1998 Dodge Stratus | 272 | 7 | 17 | 25 |
| 1998 Plymouth Breeze | 174 | 7 | 11 | 20 |
| 1997 Chrysler Cirrus | 69 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| 1997 Chrysler Sebring | 210 | 11 | 4 | 37 |
| 1997 Dodge Stratus | 349 | 7 | 32 | 28 |
| 1997 Plymouth Breeze | 155 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| 1996 Chrysler Cirrus | 160 | 11 | 5 | 10 |
| 1996 Chrysler Sebring | 343 | 12 | 10 | 41 |
| 1996 Dodge Stratus | 554 | 11 | 36 | 36 |
| 1996 Plymouth Breeze | 182 | 10 | 2 | 16 |
| 1995 Chrysler Cirrus | 369 | 11 | 5 | 45 |
| 1995 Dodge Stratus | 318 | 11 | 13 | 28 |
What this page is, and what to do next
A recall is not an opinion. It is a Part 573 report a manufacturer is required by federal law to file once it decides a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and it commits them to repairing the vehicle at no cost to the owner. The three passages above are the manufacturer’s own wording as published by NHTSA.
This page describes the campaign. It cannot tell you whether one particular car has already been through the shop — that is tracked by VIN, and only the manufacturer knows it. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer, quoting campaign number 98V183000.
Full record for the 1998 Chrysler Cirrus → · Recalls carrying a do-not-drive advisory → · Where this data comes from →