Dodge Caravan 1992 - Structure - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Dodge Caravan 1992

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE
97V079000	CHRYSLER CORPORATION	from 07/01/1991 to 06/30/1992	V (Vehicle)	436000	08/15/1997	ODI	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	05/16/1997	05/23/1997
Defect Summary	The bolts used to attach the strut to the body and the rear liftgate can accumulate fatigue damage if three factors combine. if the bolt is loose, the gas strut is over-pressurized, and the frequency of opening and closing cycles is higher than for the average customer, the bolt can fail.
Consequence Summary	Personal injury could occur if the bolts break allowing the liftgate to fall suddenly.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect for loose fasteners, if the fasteners are loose, the strut (and integral bolts) will be replaced. if the bolt shows evidence of torque, the bolt will be removed, larger washers will replace the existing washer and the bolt will be reinstalled and hand tightened to the target torqued.
Notes	Owner notification began during august 1997. 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 1-800-853-1403.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Replacement Bulletin	Item no.	Summary	Added
STRUCTURE - BODY
233599REVA	10/01/1999	233599	612160	Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs	06/06/2000
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
230693	02/01/1993		39541	Revised sliding door center and lower track over-travel stops. *tw	11/01/1995
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
230397	02/14/1997		51942	Difficult to clean light colored chalky residue from plastic body components that are molded in black. *tw	07/17/1997

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
STRUCTURE
PE96035	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	05/06/1996	10/31/1996	ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE	97V079000
	The retainer bolt of the rear lift gate support cylinders may sheer resulting in the sudden collapse of the rear hatch door.
EA96027	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	10/31/1996	05/16/1997	ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE	97V079000
	The retainer bolt of the rear liftgate support cylinders may shear resulting in sudden collapse of the rear hatch door.
PE93084	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	09/30/1993	01/31/1994	REAR HATCH LATCH FAILURE
	There is no summary currently available
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
09/23/1997		0
	Took vehicle for checkup mechanic noticed welding separating from frame. mechanic said floor would need to be re-welded to firewall. checked with manufacturer about problem & was told thet are not doing anything. *ak

	The van sliding door panal leaks water and the right and left wheel wells and in front of the engine on the fire wall. please describe. tt
STRUCTURE - BODY - BUMPERS
		1	08/01/1994
	Front bumper hangs over curb when pulling into a parking space after two repairs.
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
11/01/2000		2	06/01/1992
	Exterior handles on two doors have broken off, hanging loose from frame.*ak
02/28/2000		1	08/01/1993
	First, windshield wiper fluid would not spray. then, after about 3 months later windshield wipers stopped working. ak automatic locks lock everything but the side door, this has to be manually locked, master key would unlock driver and passenger doors, but not side and rear doors. slc

	Passenger's side door was welded, would not shut, and flushed against vehicle's structure. was rewelded because it came off. currently, driver's door failed to close tightly from the outside. would pull it to shut from inside, and would push against door to open it. taking vehicle to dealership to check the door structure. *ak
		1	04/08/1998
	Doors come loose when going over bumps. mjs

	Door bent out of alignment. transmission failed. steering failed.
01/25/1999		1	10/01/1991
	Outside sliding door handle loose due to being broken, replaced.
10/31/1998		5
	The side sliding door allows air inside vehicle. will not shut tightly. sometimes door will not open once it's closed. will be taking vehicle to dealer to have door checked. *ak
04/04/1998
	The consumer has been experiencing problems with the doors on the passenger's side. the passenger door had to be soldered in order to stay on, and the rear sliding door fell completely off. the manufacturer has been contacted. *ak
		1	10/01/1997
	Doors on the vehicle do not stay in locked position and door ajar light is continually illuminated, sliding door leaks water into vehicle.
04/13/1998
	When opening the sliding door it fell off the track. the dealer has been notified. *ak

	When opening the sliding door it falls completely off. 2 times the door fell off. dealer won't fix it. *ak

	The sliding door moves when the vehicle is in motion. has not been to dealer. *ak

	Owner states upon opening the passenger's side door when the wind was blowing the door bend backwards, causing damage tothe welds and outer door, owner questions the safety of this vehicle. *ak
11/30/1993
	Front passenger side door skin weld aren't welded,please describe .*ak

	Purchased truck used, the sliding door came off on two occasion . please describe . *ak
01/04/1992		4
	Door is not sealed tightly, causing wind noise in vehicle. *sd

	The van sliding door panal leaks water and the right and left wheel wells and in front of the engine on the fire wall. please describe. tt
10/31/1995		1	10/01/1992
	The sliding door fell out the tracks completely while young child was opening door. tt vehicle was parked on levelground, consumer's son opened sliding door which fell off both upper and lower tracks except for a small bolt attached to the lower keft corner, the door fell off onto the ground and child managed to jump back to avoid serious injury, dealer responded that door fell off lowere track only due to debris which had fallen into lower track and broke apart.*jb
05/08/1995		8
	Side door came off track. *aw

	Consumer was leave a parking lot the sliding door came off, was driving on highway the sliding door came open. tt
04/01/1995
	Sliding door has falling off twice, will not close properly or latch. tt
03/26/1995		1
	Side panel sliding door fell off track upon closing. tt
04/06/1995		2
	Side panel door jams periodically, difficulty in opening and front passenger door will not shut tightly and rattles. tt
12/24/1994
	Side sliding door fell off. tt
11/16/1994		1
	Sliding door, while in use, came off the track. tt
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
		1
	Slider door difficult to close, dealer lubed upper roller for slider. *slc
		0
	Door hinges are coming loose. front passenger's door came open while traveling. now the door is jammed and won't open. door is off track so when it rains, water gets in. *ak

	The sliding door on passenger's side came off the tracks, causing the entire door to fall off. please give any further details. *ak

	The driver's side door hinges have broken off. dealer has vehicle now. *ak

	While opening the sliding door , the door slid all the way off the vehicle, totally disconnecting itself from the van. dealer has vehicle. *ak

	The front passenger's door is off the hinges. when making a left turn ,the door comes open. the dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak
10/17/1997		6
	The side door comes off sliding track hangs usually. happens while opening/closing the door, last incindent happened while driving at approx 10-15 mph. this defect is a potential accident. *ak
12/05/1996
	Passenger's side door spot welds are coming loose, causing the door to drop, in for repair , will provide the invoice receipt. *ak
11/09/1996
	Failure of the sliding door, consumer opened the sliding door and the door came off the track. *ak
10/31/1996		1
	While trying to open the sliding door, the sliding door fell off the back hinge. *ak
04/01/1996		1
	The passenger's side door comes loose when opening and closing, the door has to be lifted up. ak consumer states the door hinge breaks off of door by itself. slc
04/06/1995		6
	Passenger front door hinge appears under sized for size/weight of door, causing hinges to separate from door frame. *sd
05/25/1995		2
	Sliding door has come off the hinges twice during normal operation chrysler was of no assistance. tt
04/19/1995
	The front passenger side door hinges that is weld to the door has broke off. tt

	Side slidding door has fallen off hinge on two occasions, due to stress. tt
11/28/1994		1
	Spot welds holding outside door panel failed, causing door not to close properly. *skd
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
06/22/2000		1
	Front passenger door handle is hanging off, consumer not able to open door from outside.*ak
07/01/1995
	Rear liftgate flew open while driving at 10 mph. tt
04/20/1995
	Rear liftgate opens while driving, difficutly in using remote or key to open latch. please describe details. tt
04/04/1995
	Rear liftgate came open upon impact; vehicle rearended while stopped by another vehicle; no ejections. tt
03/22/1995		1
	While driving, experienced rear liftgate failure, resulting in 2-year old fallin gout of van when door fell off, also indicator light on dash came on. *ak
04/12/1994		1
	Had a rearend collision and rear door popped open. tt
12/04/1993		1
	During side-impact at 35-40mph rear hatch tailgate flew open causing contents to fall out.after accident tailgate continue to open during high acceleration/stop
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
01/01/2000		1	04/01/1992
	The weak lift gate bolts broke tearing the metal off the vehicle and causing the lift gate to fall on passengers back. nlm
STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE
04/09/2004	170000	1	06/01/1992
	While driving 65 mph, the rear hatch latch snapped. this caused the hatch to open and it was hard for the consumer to close the hatch. ak the dealer had previously repaired the original hatchback latch per recall#97v079000. sc *jb

	Recall # 97v079000 structure: door assembly: while van was being serviced for air conditioner and other problems, dealer forgot to perform recall work. this was the second time that owner brought this ot delaer's attention. the last time van was taken to dealership was on august 8, 1999. please provide any further information. *ak
11/07/1997		5
	Liftgate supports failed prior to recall notice, replacement failed also.
		1
	Liftgate support rod is cracking and showing signs of fatigue.
		2
	Recall repair work denied due to lack of parts (seat belt buckle and liftgate support washers).
07/16/1996		1
	Strut for liftgate hatch broke prior to recall notice.
		1
	Support rod failed causing injury to consumer.(attorney for consumer)
08/02/1996		1
	Tailgate support strut broke prior to recall notice.
		1
	Lift gate support rod broke prior to recall notice.
		1
	Hatchback support rod broke.
		2	04/12/1992
	The liftgate rods ripped out from vehicle. there is a recall on the liftgate. however ,the dealer informed owner that the rod was not under the recall. *ak
06/18/1997			04/30/1992
	Upon attempting to close the hatchback after loading items into rear of van, the hatchback came crashing down due to strut on passenger's side snapping off. could have caused severe injuries to passengers had they been standing beneath the hatchback. *a
06/26/1997		1
	Had vehicle parked; went to rear & lifted liftgate; liftgate hatch collapsed due to bolts snapping; (under recall #97v079000). will be taking to dealer. *ak
08/04/1993		2
	Center seat/right side safety belt clip releases from the floor bracket frequently when the belt is in use. also hydraulic arm that holds the back door up , bolt that attaches the arm to the body of the van sheared in half,causing the back door to collapse. ak slc

	Owner states that the hydraulic cylinders that support the hatchback fell down and hit owner in the head. dealers stated that a fixed bolt on the opening snapped. *ak
11/06/1996		1	05/20/1993
	One of the struts holding up the rear door failed, causing it to slam shut, almost resulted in bodily injury. *ak
08/01/1995
	While stopped at light, right rear hatch strut broke and shot through headliner; bolt burst, hole in headliner. tt
06/12/1995
	Vehicle rear hatchback hydraulic lift door failed, came down without warning when closing. tt
06/07/1993		1
	Hydraulic arm broke away from the frame. tt
09/06/1994		1
	Hydraulic lift doesn't have sufficent strength to support truck lid. tt
03/28/1995
	The rear liftgate does not stay open when lifted. please explain. tt
04/03/1995		1
	Hatchback door will not stay up because of broken struts. *ak
03/07/1995
	Rear door rattles and would not latch properly. had to have pistons replaced. tt
STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD
08/25/1997
	For no apparent reason while driving the vehicle the hood flew open and cracked the windshield. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE
06/23/2001			07/01/1997
	Recall work was done on the liftgate support washers on 10/15/97... could over tightening the liftgate arm bolt cause the bolt to snap off. (snapped off on 07/23/2001). dealership is saying they are not responsible and i just want to know if you have had other problems with this bolt breaking off. if it was in the lifted position and broke off it would have put someone in the hospital or worse. here is the info on the sales ticket at the time: card # 6986, j# 1 04d0z730 liftgate sup washers, 23730182 inspected washer, replace both liftgate support washers, washer # 18-50-3
08/04/1997
	Defective liftgat support, washer apparently shearred and the liftgate came down, repair on of the liftgate washer, other washer need replacing, both are on recall.
STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
08/29/2000
	Reporting the hydraulic strut pin shear off and leaving door without support; dealer was not notified atthis time. please provide further details:
11/07/1997
	Support attaching bolt broke twice, resulting in falling liftgate, recall issue, replacement part defective, liftgate will not stay up in cold weather.
07/04/1996
	Due to a broken bolt, the shock on the liftgate broke, causing damage to the interior in the inside of the vehicle. *ak
04/07/1995		7
	Cargo door hinge attachments came off, causing door to fall. *skd
STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID
05/15/2000		1
	Prior to the recall the lift gate support, the vehicle failed while the lift gate was in up position because the bolt sheared off. yh
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
			07/01/1996
	Thea paint is coming off in sheets. when it rains or the car gets wet the paint slides off in sheets, causing a visibility problem. the paint stickes to the window until i pull of the road to scrape it off. many other caravans of the same color (blue) are in the shape. *ak
			07/01/1996
	Thea paint is coming off in sheets. when it rains or the car gets wet the paint slides off in sheets causing a visibility problem. the paint stickes to the window until i pull of the road to scrape it off. many other caravan of the same color (blue) are in the shape.