Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STRUCTURE
EA94005CHRYSLER GROUP LLC01/31/199410/25/1995LIFTGATE LATCHES95I001000
 Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.nhtsa analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form of static and dynamic crash testing, engineering evaluations, complaint and field analyses, and real world data analyses.a technical report discussing these analyses can be found in the engineering analysis technical report in the public viewing file.chrysler has advised nhtsa that it will conduct a campaign to replace the latches on all the subject vehicles.the chrysler campaign will consist of notification letters to all owners; free replacement of all latches with stronger, safer latches regardless of the age of the minivans; national advertising to promote customer awareness of the campaign; quarterly reports regarding campaign completion rates; as well as additional measures to ensure a high completion rate, above and beyond the actions that normally would be taken in a formal safety recall.these include follow up written and telephonic notifications to owners who do not bring their vehicles in for corrective action.nhtsa firmly believes that the crash performance of the latches on these minivans raises serious safety concerns, and that the campaign addresses these concerns.the chrysler corrective action will increase the strength of the liftgate latches and decrease the potential for inertial unlatching, thereby reducing the risk of crash-related openings of the liftgate and possible occupant ejection through the liftgate opening.owners of chrysler minivans will get a stronger, safer latch free of charge at the earliest possible time, without the need for further technical investigation and complex and time-consuming litigation with an uncertain outcome.based on the above, odi is closing this investigation.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
06/17/1992
 Front seat driver's and passenger's manual window (handles) stick could result in entrapment upon emergency exit. *ak
08/01/19931
 Door lock switch obn driver's side works periodicallly. *ak
03/01/1995
 Sliding door comes off track and driving shakes, and will not lock. tt
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
06/12/1992
 Thomas schuler:above no: rear liftgate came open upon rear impact; 6 and 4 year old occupants were ejected out of rear door; 6 year old killed; speed 60 mph.
12/26/1991
 In a collision on the right side between the passenger and the sliding door, the rear liftgate popped open ejecting the contents of the hatch. tt
03/07/1995
 At speed of 55 mph, vehicle was impact 3:00 position lost control vehicle rollover, the latch hatchback open thrown child out ea94-005 active. tt
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE
01/01/1993206/15/1991
 Liftgate supports fail to support liftgate.
STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE
08/01/1991
 At 65mph vehicle rolled over and rear tailgate opened during impact.
STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID
 Contacted the dealer since december, parts not available regarding service campagin 95i001000.
04/05/19955
 Liftgate remote release button failed due to corrosion build up. *skd