Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | ||||||
| EA94005 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 01/31/1994 | 10/25/1995 | LIFTGATE LATCHES | 95I001000 | |
| 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 date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||
| 02/01/1995 | |||
| The driver side door doesn't shut tight when it is tighten it come back loose. tt | |||
| 04/10/1994 | |||
| Side door releases while driving. tt | |||
| 03/01/1995 | 1 | ||
| Passenger side door fell off hinges while driving. tt | |||
| 03/03/1995 | 1 | ||
| Another vehicle rear ended this vehicle with extensive damage w/door remaining shut. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| Front doors are separating from hinges. this is causing doors to be out of alignment. doors will either lock or unlock upon being closed. owner knew of problem prior to purchasing. mechanic indicated vehicle not safe to drive.*ak | |||
| 12/24/1995 | |||
| Side sliding door fell off the hinges. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 04/14/1995 | |||
| Liftgate has failed, liftgate will open by itself while driving. tt | |||
| 03/30/1995 | |||
| Light keep coming on, hard too close, now tail gate will not close at all. tt | |||
| 06/15/1993 | |||
| Rear liftgate opened twice while driving; hit bump while backing up/ opened while driving wet surface, vehicle skidded. tt | |||
| 03/01/1994 | |||
| While driving rear hatch has come open allowing property to fall out. tt | |||
| 02/06/1995 | |||
| Loss control of vehicle went off highway flip rear hatch gate came open passenger flip out ea94-005 active. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 03/31/1995 | 3 | ||
| Rear hatch/liftgate fell on owner due to defective spring door hinges. tt | |||
| 07/04/1994 | |||
| Rear door hinge does not hold tailgate up, resulting in injuries to person opening door. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 04/06/1990 | |||
| Hydraulic lift collapsed cutting top of owners head. tt | |||
| 04/06/1991 | 1 | ||
| Due to poor design material used, the hydraulic lifts collapsed in cold weather, also has resulted in head injury. t | |||
| 05/01/1989 | |||
| Hinges that hold rear door up failed three time, replace rod three time. tt | |||
| Liftgate has poor support due to struts failing. door has struck owner against head. tt | |||
| Rear hydraulic cylinder lift struts inoperative, won't stay up, will desend without warning unexpectedly. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE | |||
| 11/04/1990 | |||
| Van rolled over, front passenger flew out of rear door. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | |||
| 06/29/2003 | 122000 | 2 | 05/01/1988 |
| While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed that fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. it was taken to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that the motor mount broke. the mechanic replaced the motor mount but a year later the problem recurred but this time when the motor mount broke it also damaged the oil pan. *ak *nm | |||