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 | |||
| 2 | 12/02/1993 | ||
| Sheet metal structure of vehicle is designed to transfer vehicle forces. firewall transfers a significant portion of the forces and is therefore subject to stress which causes failure of the firewall/structure due to its inadequate design. the force in this case is a left turning force which after numerous left turns caused a crack (v-shaped)in the firewall, exposing insulation material. aw | |||
| 1 | |||
| Fire wall cracked, exposing some of the underlining insulation material. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||
| 04/18/1997 | 0 | 10/01/1990 | |
| The driver was in the process of putting up the electric window on the driver's side and a loud noise was heard, and then the door flew open because of a small plastic piece had snapped off, and fell down/jammed the door lock opened. *ak | |||
| 01/08/1990 | 1 | 10/24/1989 | |
| Electric door locks/latches malfunction. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 06/25/2000 | 2 | 07/01/1998 | |
| This is the second time that the door has fallen out of its' track. mechanics at my shop can't figure out what is causing it to do this. suggested i contact dodge to see if this is a common problem or if it is just an anomoly of my van. they can't even tell if something is worn out and requiring replacement. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 04/01/1996 | 03/14/1994 | ||
| Rear hatchback cylinders failed. *ak | |||