Vehicle recall 98V183000 · August 6, 1998
Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus and 2 more models
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
- Consequence
- If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
- Notes
- Owner notification began October 26, 1998. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 98V183000
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 6, 1998
- Filed by
- CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Owner notification
- October 26, 1998
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 685,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Chrysler Cirrus (1995-1998): 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
- Chrysler Sebring (1996-1998): 1998, 1997, 1996
- Dodge Stratus (1995-1998): 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
- Plymouth Breeze (1996-1998): 1998, 1997, 1996
Has your Chrysler been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.