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 - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 01/01/1995 | 4 | ||
| Liftgate became open when hit on the side. tt | |||
| 04/08/1995 | |||
| While going up driveway, rear door popped open. tt | |||
| 09/09/1991 | |||
| The hydraulics in the van are no longer working after tailgate popped open. tt | |||
| 05/04/1985 | |||
| Location of electronic door opener next to windshield wiper and washer could result in misapplication and the door to fly open. tt | |||
| 03/02/1995 | |||
| Rear liftgate keeps opening. please explain. tt | |||
| 01/01/1988 | 1 | ||
| Rear liftgate opened by itself while driving. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 01/01/1993 | |||
| Vehicle hatchback hydraulic cylinder is broken. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID | |||
| 05/12/1996 | 1 | ||
| When in an accident daughter was ejected from vechicle while wearing seat belt. *ak consumer states was moving south bound through intersection when a for pick up truck that had ran a red light, consumer's vehicle was hit on the right side just passed the sliding door, the impact caused the liftgate latch to release and start the vehicle to spin, consumer and his two kids were injuried.*jb | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | |||
| 09/01/1987 | 1 | ||
| Hit by a fiero on left rear side by rear wheel owner concerned that van was tipped over by small car. tt | |||