Recall - Frame Casting Defects
NUMBER: 855DATE: December 1999
TITLE: Safety Recall No. 855 - Frame Castings
MODELS: 1999 (PR) Plymouth Prowler
NOTE:
This recall applies only to the above vehicles built from May 13, 1999 through July 29, 1999 (MDH 051307 through 072909).
IMPORTANT:
Many of the vehicles within the above build period have already been inspected or repaired and, therefore, have been excluded from this recall.
IMPORTANT:
Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to stop sale and complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service as determined by using the DIAL VIP System.
Subject
The aluminum frame assembly on about 54O of the above vehicles may have a soft casting in up to eight locations. A soft casting may fracture under certain operating conditions, which can result in a loss of vehicle control. This could cause an accident without warning.
Repair
A specialist from ALCOA must inspect each involved vehicle. If a soft casting is identified, the owner will be contacted to have their 1999 model year Prowler replaced with a new Prowler, free of charge.
IMPORTANT:
Dealers with involved UNSOLD vehicles must call ALCOA immediately at 1-877-361-3646 (toll free) to schedule an appointment for the inspection with the ALCOA representative.
Parts Information
No parts are required to perform the inspection of the involved vehicles.
Service Procedure
Due to the specialized nature of this issue, ALL VEHICLE FRAME INSPECTIONS ARE TO BE PERFORMED BY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ALCOA, THE FRAME SUPPLIER. Dealers must only provide a service bay or other suitable area for use during the inspection. The frame inspection will take about 1/2 hour.
Vehicles that are found to have a soft frame casting will be replaced. The DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center will handle all replacement details. Very few vehicles are expected to contain soft castings.
^ Unsold Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: Dealers with involved UNSOLD vehicles must call ALCOA immediately at 1-877-361-3646 to schedule an appointment for the inspection with the ALCOA representative.
^ Sold Vehicles: Owners are requested to contact the DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-992-1997 to schedule an inspection appointment.
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles that have been inspected must be submitted on the DIAL System. Claims submitted will be used by DaimlerChrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.
Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:
Labor Operation Time
Number Allowance
Inspect frame castings 13855181 0.2hours
NOTE: See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section, for complete recall claim processing instructions.
Parts Return
Not applicable.
Dealer Notification and Vehicle List
All dealers will receive a copy of this dealer recall notification letter by first class mail. Two additional copies will be sent through the DCMMS, and the MDS2 will be updated to include this recall in the near future. Each dealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same street address) will receive a list of their involved vehicles. The vehicle list is arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to DaimlerChrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved vehicles.
Dial System Functions 53 and VIP
All involved vehicles will be entered to DIAL System Functions 53 and VIP at the time of recall implementation for dealer inquiry as needed.
Function 53 provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete vehicles. The customer name, address and phone number are listed if known. Completed vehicles are removed from Function 53 within several days of repair claim submission. To use this system, type "53" at the "ENTER FUNCTION" prompt, then type "0RD855".