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 | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | ||||||||||||||||
| 99V213000 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION | from 08/01/1990 to 06/30/1994 | V (Vehicle) | 1318189 | 08/30/1999 | ODI | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 09/02/1999 | 10/15/1999 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: mini vans. 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 1999. 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 1-800-992-1997. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236. | |||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | ||||||
| RQ99004 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 04/19/1999 | REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT | 99V213000 | ||
| The liftgate support attaching bolts may break.this could result in the liftgate falling unexpectedly which may injure someone standing under it. | ||||||
| RQ99004 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 04/19/1999 | REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT | 97V079000 | ||
| The liftgate support attaching bolts may break.this could result in the liftgate falling unexpectedly which may injure someone standing under it. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||
| 11/07/1998 | 2 | 04/01/1992 | |
| The sliding side door on my 19991 dodge grand caravan completely fell off while the vehicle was turning a corner. i have noted that tsm's (08-62-93; 08-21-94; and 23-06-93) had been issued describing a defect in the sliding door ajar switch (adjustment). | |||
| 08/15/1998 | 1 | ||
| While getting out of the side door of the vehicle the door fell off without inications. please provide further details. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 1 | 06/07/1997 | ||
| Recall 99v-21 is for cracked liftgate bolts, dealer unwilling to check for hairline cracks and stated bolts could only be replaced if broken, consumer not satisfied (not pleased). yh | |||
| Side door would be sticking. it fell off the track when closing. has not been to or notified dealer as of yet. *ak | |||
| 07/01/1997 | 1 | 05/18/1991 | |
| Retaining bolt failed causing rear door to fall. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 01/30/2000 | 1 | 04/01/1991 | |
| Upon entering the driver's side and shutting door, the back window of the hatch shattered. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1996 | 1 | 07/01/1991 | |
| Hatchback hinge snapped, door would not close. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 1 | 06/07/1997 | ||
| Recall 99v-21 is for cracked liftgate bolts, dealer unwilling to check for hairline cracks and stated bolts could only be replaced if broken, consumer not satisfied (not pleased). yh | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 03/07/1999 | 1 | ||
| One of the two lifttgate support strut anchors shearded off causing the liftgate to fall, components not repaired under recall due to vin. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE | |||
| 1 | 06/07/1997 | ||
| Recall 99v-21 is for cracked liftgate bolts, dealer unwilling to check for hairline cracks and stated bolts could only be replaced if broken, consumer not satisfied (not pleased). yh | |||
| 03/07/1999 | 01/01/1994 | ||
| While unloading groceries, hatch suddenly slammed shut due to failure (shear) of hatches right strut body anchor. my head was grazed, but am ok. plastic trim by anchor damaged. door is extremely heavy, and will not open without strut assist. a failure of this nature is extremely dangerous - what if the door (500lbs + enertia) fell on us or the kids while unloading groceries, or sitting on gate for tailgate party/drive-in? falling with the speed and force it did would act like a leg/neck/bone crushing guillotine. it is lucky that no one was hurt, but someday, some one will if this weak design is not corrected. i say it is weak because anchor diameter appears to be 1/4 which is ridiculous. 3/8 would be minimum diameter for proper design. please do something before someone gets killed. signed - brian d. lubell | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 07/19/1997 | |||
| The bolt that supports the strut, on the right side of the tailgate , sheared off and caused the gate to fall, hitting owner's head. the problem has not been corrected. *ak | |||