Campaign - Primary Hood Latch Spring
89chrysler11No. 453
July, 1989
To: All Dodge and Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers
Subject: Customer Satisfaction Notification # 453 -- Primary Hood Latch Spring
Models: 1989 Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim Built From Job # 1 Through Month-Day-Hour (MDH) 03-02-05
The primary hood latch on the listed model cars may release when it is jarred by vehicle travel over a rough surface or in an abrupt turn. The secondary latch will remain engaged and hold the hood down. To prevent the primary latch release condition, the lower hood latch bracket spring must be replaced with a revised, shorter spring increasing the spring force on the latch pawl.
Important: Some of the involved cars may still be in dealer stock. Be sure to complete the service on these cars before retail delivery.
Details of this service action are explained in the following sections. As an additional service aid, a videotape demonstrating the service procedure is included in the June, 1989 M.T.S.C. program.
Vehicle List
Each dealer to whom involved can were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive a listing of them with this letter, arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved can.
Each Dodge or Plymouth dealer without a Vehicle List will receive an information copy of this better by Compak Mail for use in performing the service on involved cars upon request.
Parts
Parts packages, PN C3940342, are being shipped free of charge to all involved dealers for service of affected cars. Each dealer to whom involved cars were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same location) will receive enough parts packages to service 100% of those cars.
Each recall parts package contains one lower hood latch bracket spring.
Additional parts may be ordered without charge from Parts Depots if required. Order only as needed for scheduled repairs.
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved car owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for the service with their dealers at the earliest possible date. A copy of the owner notification letter is attached.
Enclosed with each owner notification is an Owner Recall Notification Form # 83-295-0019. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.
Service Procedure
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles which have been serviced must be submitted by DIAL dealers on the DIAL System. Non DIAL dealers may submit WROs. Claims submitted will be use by Chrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.
Enter only one VIN per claim on a WRO. Fill in the labor operation number and time allowance and write on the WRO "Customer Satisfaction Notification # 453 -- Primary Hood Latch Spring." Do not enter other service claims on the same WRO.
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement (Continued)
Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:
Labor Operation Time
Number Allowance
Remove and replace 23453182 0.2 Hour
primary hood latch pawl spring
Note: See Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual, Chapter 6, Subsection H for complete recall claim processing instructions.
Parts Return
Not required -- discard.
Vehicle Not Available
If a car is not available for this service for a known reason, let us know by filling out the pre-addressed Vehicle Disposition Form portion of the Owner Recall Notification Form or describe the reason on a postcard and mail to:
Chrysler Motors 416-15-19 Recall Coordination P.O. Box 1919 Detroit, Michigan 48231-9986
Following the above procedures will expedite the processing of your claim.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Zone Service Office.
IMPORTANT
DEALER SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION # 453 -- PRIMARY HOOD LATCH SPRING
^ This service requirement applies only to 1989 model Dodge Spirit and
Plymouth Acclaim passenger cars built from Job # 1 through Month-DayHour 03-02-05
^ Be sure to service all involved cars in dealer stock prior to retail delivery.
^ After installing the revised hood latch spring, discard the original spring.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION -- PRIMARY HOOD LATCH SPRING
Dear Chrysler Motors Car Owner:
The satisfaction of our customers is very important to Chrysler. Because of this, we are requesting owners of certain 1989 model Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim passenger cars to return them to their dealers for a special, no-charge service. The service is needed to ensure that the primary hood latch will not release if it is jarred when the car is driven over rough surfaces.
If the primary latch does release while the car is in motion, the hood will be prevented from opening by the secondary latch. However, the condition should be corrected as soon as possible.
Your car, whose Vehicle Identification Number is shown on the enclosed form, is one of the affected vehicles requiring corrective service. We ask that you arrange for this free service without delay.
To correct the condition, your dealer will replace a spring in the lower hood latch bracket with a revised spring. The new spring will increase the force on the latch pawl to ensure engagement of the hood latch under all driving conditions. The work will take less than one hour to complete. However, additional time may be required depending on how service appointments are scheduled and processed. To arrange for this service:
^ Contact your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. We ask that you contact the dealer who sold you the car. However, if necessary, the service can be performed by any Dodge or Chrysler-Plymouth dealer.
^ Take the enclosed Owner Recall Notification Form with you at the time of your appointment and give it to your dealer. The form identifies the vehicle and recall for which service is required.
If you have any problem obtaining the needed repair, please contact the Chrysler Zone Service Office in your area. It is listed under "Service Assistance in your Operator's Manual.) A Zone service representative will arrange for prompt repair of your car.
We regret any inconvenience that this action may cause you. However, we believe that this special service will help to ensure your continuing satisfaction with your car.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.