NHTSA Complaint #767998 — 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER

THE CLOCKSPRING CONNECTOR ROUTES THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG AND HORN WIRING FROM THE ROTATING STEERING WHEEL TO THE STATIONARY COLUMN. IT BROKE, LEAVING BOTH THE AIRBAG AND HORN INOPERATIVE. I NOTICED AN ERRATIC AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FOR 6 MONTHS AND RECENTLY FOUND THE HORN NO LONGER WORKED. I REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND TOOK APART THE OLD UNIT TO DIAGNOSE. IT DOES NOT USE WIPERS, BUT RATHER A COILED FLAT CABLE WITH ~ 6 FLAT COPPER LEADS. SINCE MY VAN DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL, ONLY 3 OF THE LEADS ARE USED. I FOUND THAT THE FLAT CABLE IS FOLDED BACK TIGHTLY UPON ITSELF TO SECURE AT THE INNER ROTATING CONNECTOR. ALL THE LEADS WERE BROKEN AT THIS SHARP BEND. A THIN PLASTIC SHEET IS AGAINST THE CABLE AT THIS TIGHT FOLD IN AN APPARENTLY LAME ATTEMPT AT STRAIN RELIEF. THIS DESIGN IS GUARANTEED TO FAIL AFTER SO MANY TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. TSB 08-010-01 NOTES MANY FAILURES, CLAIMING THEY ARE DUE TO SERVICING ISSUES. SAFETY RECALL 982 FOR FAILED CLOCKSPRINGS IN DODGE PICKUPS. ALL AFFECTED CHRYSLER VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. I SPENT $80. FOR THE PART AND MUCH TIME FIXING MINE. TS