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 | |||
| 06/01/1996 | |||
| Driver side door, will not close properly, when close a metal object flew from the door | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 07/01/1995 | |||
| Vehicle's sliding door upper hinge does not secure the top part of the door, the sliding door is not fully engaged. *ak | |||
| While shutting passenger side, sliding door detached and fell off hinge, due to stress. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 06/18/1995 | 1 | ||
| While driving rear hatch opened w/children holding luggage until pulled over. chrysler states part not available. please describe details. tt | |||
| 10/15/1994 | 2 | ||
| Spring broke off liftgate release on right rear of vehicle; occasionally, door will not open. tt | |||
| 03/31/1995 | 1 | ||
| When broad sided on rear drivers side, the hatch gate opened. tt | |||
| 03/22/1989 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was broadsided on right side and van tippedover and rear door flew open. tt | |||
| 09/03/1993 | |||
| Rear liftgate comes open while driving and when in accident. please explain. tt | |||
| 05/08/1994 | |||
| Rear gate came open when vehicle was hit on the passenger side. please describe. tt | |||
| 11/27/1987 | 1 | ||
| Struck head on by pickup, vehicle spun around and child located in left rear seat was ejected. others injuried inside. tt | |||
| 01/08/1993 | |||
| Brakes locked vehicle fishtailed, rolled over and rear hatch popped opened. tt | |||
| 03/08/1995 | 1 | ||
| Rear liftgate opened after collision and rear seat went out. please describe. tt | |||
| 03/05/1995 | |||
| Rear liftgate opened while driving, unable to close. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 01/17/1997 | 1 | ||
| Rear door hydraulic lift failed, causing door to fall down on head/injury.. | |||
| 10/01/1995 | 1 | ||
| Liftgate support rod failed, causing liftgate to fall/injury. | |||
| Hydraulic cylinder lift struts are inoperative, won't stay up, will decend unexpectedly, without warning. tt | |||
| 04/01/1991 | 1 | ||
| Faulty connection of tail gate hydraulic lifts, causing tailgate to fall down. tt | |||
| 01/18/1995 | |||
| The back hatch will no longer remain up on its own. please describe details. tt | |||