ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Safety risk
IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. 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.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine
14
74,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
8
81,900 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
4
62,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
3
60,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner
3
53,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
3
23,616 mi
Air bags
2
43,000 mi
Electrical system
2
26,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
2
7,000 mi
Seat belts
2
64,000 mi
Seats
2
55,780 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
2
53,000 mi
Air bags: side/window
1
—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
55,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
1
34,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
216,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
1
31,954 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
1
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
216,000 mi
Power train
1
85,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter
1
41,796 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage
1
—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
1
53,000 mi
Steering
1
—
Steering: rack and pinion
1
101,000 mi
Structure
1
—
Structure: frame and members
1
—
Suspension
1
—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut
1
13,000 mi
Suspension: rear
1
—
Vehicle speed control
1
21,709 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
1
57,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
1
—
Wheels
1
12,000 mi
Wheels: hub
1
21,460 mi
Wheels: rim
1
31,000 mi
The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.
