1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Cruise Control Problems

AUGUST 12, 2004 RE: DANGEROUS RUNAWAY-VEHICLE 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN [XXX] THIS IS TO DOCUMENT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT OCCURRED ON JULY 22, 2004 WITH THE ABOVE VEHICLE. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT HAD ABOUT 124,800 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE, [XXX], WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION ON I-40 FROM WILMINGTON TO CHAPEL HILL . SHE WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IS NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE SITUATION WAS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT ALTHOUGH IT IS LIKELY THAT SHE HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS GOING OVER 90 MPH AND WOULDNT STOP ALTHOUGH SHE USED THE BRAKES WITH ALL HER FORCE. SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND BRAKED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER, WITH THE BRAKES SMOKING AND IN FLAME. IN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE ENGINE SPEED TOOK OFF AND SHE SHUT IT DOWN AND CALLED AAA FOR A TOW. THE AAA SERVICE STATION MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM THE THROTTLE. THE CABLE WAS STUCK FAST AND HAD KEPT THE THROTTLE OPEN. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY WIFE HAD BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VAN WITHOUT COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RUNNING OFF THE ROAD BEFORE BRINGING IT TO A HALT. THE CABLE APPEARED TO HAVE A BROKEN STRAND THAT STUCK INTO THE OUTER SHEATH. IT IS ONLY ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG AND MAKES A 180 DEGREE U-TURN BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM SERVO AND THE THROTTLE. THAT DESIGN PLACES MORE STRESS ON THE CABLE THAN IF IT WERE A STRAIGHT RUN. THE DEFECTIVE CABLE IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. I AM AN MIT GRADUATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND FORMER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL OPERATIONS FOR CONSUMERS UNION AND I BELIEVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN BY NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ME ANY REMEDY EXCEPT REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB

WHILE VEHICLE IS AT IDLE, THE RPMS SHOW ANYWHERE FROM 1000 TO 3000 AND THE SPEEDOMETER READS 30 TO 40 MPH, VEHICLE WAS LURCHING BACK AND FORTH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED, AFTER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE IS STILL LURCHING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TRAVELLING UPHILL. *SLC

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL AT AN INTERSECTION, VEHICLE WILL DRIFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND ENGINE WILL NOT TAKE OFF. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG HOURS, THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE TO 0 MPH AND BOUNCE BACK UP TO 60 MPH, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, AND CONTINUED BACKARDS WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED UNTIL IT HIT A BUILDING.

WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, VEHICLE JOLTS FORWARD.