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 | |||
| 03/14/1995 | 4 | ||
| Power door locks fail intermittenly. *skd | |||
| 03/03/1995 | |||
| Right-sided electrical sliding door will not lock or unlock when activated for exiting vehicle. please describe details. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 06/07/1995 | |||
| Rear liftgate opened by itself. tt | |||
| 06/01/1995 | |||
| The rear liftgate has come opened on (5) five different occasions spilling contents. tt | |||
| 04/09/1995 | |||
| While driving down hwy, rear door came open and personal items came out. tt | |||
| 11/15/1993 | |||
| In 7:00 position hit rear hatch gate opened and ejected child through the rear. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 07/06/1995 | 3 | ||
| The rear lift gate hydralic hinges do not work and will not hold up the back; have been replaced 3 times. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - SUPPORT DEVICE | |||
| 01/12/1995 | 1 | ||
| Rear hydraulic lifts do not work in cold weather. tt *jb | |||
| Hydraulic cylinder lift struts are inoperative, liftgate won't stay up, will decend unexpectedly, without warning. tt | |||
| 10/16/1987 | 1 | ||
| Experiencd intermittent rear hydraulic strut failure, liftgate falls down, no warning. tt | |||
| 12/01/1994 | 1 | ||
| Rear hatch hydraulic supports fail in cold weather, allowing rear hatch to drop. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD | |||
| 07/04/1995 | |||
| Hood flew open while driving on hwy, loss of visibility. tt | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TAILGATE | |||
| 12/06/1995 | |||
| Difficulty getting repairs done, recall #6404. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID | |||
| While trunk lid was opened without any indication trunk lid dropped, causing injury to consumer. pleased provide further information.*ak | |||