NHTSA Complaint #10090685 — 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO

GM IS MAKING ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH MANUAL LOCKS INACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. DEALERS ARE NOT TELLING CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS. IF, AS I DID, YOU PURCHASE A TWO DOOR VEHICLE WITH MANUAL LOCKS, YOU MUST CLIMB THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS POSES A GREAT SAFETY RISK FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE INFANT MUST BE SET DOWN UNATTENDED (PERHAPS ON HOT PAVEMENT) WHILE THE MOTHER CLIMBS THROUGH TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR TO PLACE THE INFANT IN ITS CHILD SEAT. THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF A TODDLER WHO MAY WANDER INTO TRAFFIC DURING THIS ACTIVITY. ALSO POLICE ROUTINELY TELL WOMEN THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NEXT TO A SUSPECT VAN IN A PARKING LOT, THAT THEY SHOULD ENTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. THIS ALSO APPLIES IS SOMEONE JUST PARKS TOO CLOSE, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL THE OTHER VEHICLE IS MOVED. I FEEL THAT THESE ARE VIABLE SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE DEALERS (WHEN QUESTIONED) STATE THAT THEY DIDN'T REALIZE YOU CAN'T GET IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH A KEY. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PAY FOR ELECTRONIC LOCKS AND THE KEY FOBS TO OPERATE THEM TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $800 FOR A 2-DOOR VEHICLE.*AK