DODGE: GRAND CARAVAN: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
| NHTSA Campaign Number: | 99V213000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: | GRAND CARAVAN |
| Model Year: | 1991 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC |
| Manufacturered: | 19900801 - 19940630 |
| Type of Report: | V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: | 1318189 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: | 19990830 |
| Recall Initiated By: | ODI |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| Report Received Date: | 19990902 |
| Record Creation Date: | 19991015 |
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.