Brake power assist

An NHTSA Engineering Analysis into Dodge vehicles. Closed 1 March 1988.

Investigation
EA88001
Type
Engineering Analysis
Opened
1 October 1987
Closed
1 March 1988

What NHTSA investigated

Summary of information from manufacturer:chrysler recalled, in CANADA,67,602 1984 through 1987 passenger cars, trucks, and vans equipped with THE5.2L engine for intermittent loss of brake power assist on a secondapplication of the brake pedal.the defect was a result of the brakebooster vacuum hose port in the base of the carburetor being blocked withfrozen moisture after an extended period of highway driving at low ambienttemperatures.to prevent this defect from occurring, the vacuum source forthe brake booster was relocated from the base of the carburetor to theintake manifold.it was stated that reports of the alleged defect haveoccurred in the northern areas of canada.analysis:review of manufacturer's data indicated at least 4 similar u.s.vehicles have experienced failures consistent with those reported in thecanadian market.one vehicle was a manufacturer test vehicle.the statesin which these reported failures occurred are alaska, minnesota (2), andwisconsin.it is this engineer's opinion that there is sufficient evidenceto suggest that the alleged defect could be reproduced by performing testsin a controlled environmental chamber.status:analyzing manufacturer's response at 12/09/87.===

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
ChryslerFIFTH AVENUE1984–1987
DodgeB11984–1987
DodgeB1001984–1987
DodgeB1501984–1985
DodgeB2001984–1987
DodgeB2501984–1987
DodgeB3001984–1987
DodgeB3501984–1987
DodgeD11984–1987
DodgeD1001984–1987
DodgeD1501984–1987
DodgeD21984–1987
DodgeD2001984–1987
DodgeD2501984–1987
DodgeD31984–1987
DodgeD3001984–1987
DodgeD3501984–1987
DodgeD4501984–1987
DodgeD501984–1987
DodgeD5001984–1987
DodgeD6001984–1987
DodgeD7001984–1987
DodgeD8001984–1987
DodgeDIPLOMAT1984–1987
DodgeRAMCHARGER1984–1987
PlymouthB1001984–1987
PlymouthB2001984–1987
PlymouthB3001984–1987
PlymouthB3501984–1987
PlymouthFURY1984–1987

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.