Investigation PE04017: 1999–2000 Chrysler Town And Country

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Feb 18, 2004

Closed

Jun 21, 2004

Model years

1999–2000

Subject

Overheating of seat heaters

Component: Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

Summary

Odi opened this investigation based on 24 complaints alleging that the electrically heated driver or passenger seat sparks/overheats.daimlerchrysler believes the failure is due to one of two factors:the stitching operation on the seat cover may cause the sewing needle to sever some strands of the wire heating grid in the seat, or a poor solder joint/wire connector fails due to improper processing or long term overstressing.the ignition switch and the seat heater switch must both be turned on to power the seat heater.complainants report that when overheating occurs, switching the heater off also stops the overheating.the failure cannot occur in an unattended vehicle with the ignition switch off.odi finds that the 33 fire allegations are reporting very localized overheating(photos of damaged seats show holes the size of a pencil or less).there are no reports of sustained combustion and no reports of other fire damage to the vehicle.the injury allegations are reporting minor injury.no consumers required medical treatment (physician care).there are no allegations of loss of vehicle control due to failure of a heated seat.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2000 Chrysler Town And Country306 complaints
• 1999 Chrysler Town And Country362 complaints