NHTSA Expands Probe of Defect Chrysler Minivan Wiring

It is reported that Federal safety officials have expanded an investigation of DaimlerChrysler minivan wiring that breaks and causes airbags, cruise control systems and horns to fail.

NHTSA officials stated that if the parts are proved defective, the company could have to recall as many as 2.8 million minivans from the 1996-2000 model years. The affected models are Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the agency and the manufacturer have collected 164 complaints about component failures that could be related to the wiring.

NHTSA suggests that the faulty wiring is part of the clockspring assembly ( which maintains electrical connections while the steering wheel rotates. NHTSA said it has evidence the wiring fatigues and breaks. Most filed complaints concern the airbag warning light coming on although there were two reported crashes in which driver airbags did not function.

NHTSA also received records from Chrysler that showed that the company had supplied nearly 125,000 replacement clockspring assemblies for the 1996-2000 minivans.

The Federal agency started the investigation of 1996 minivans last August. In February, it upgraded the investigation to the more intense level of engineering analysis. NHTSA also expanded the investigation to four more model years.