NHTSA Complaint #10446008 — 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR CARGO DOOR USING AUTOMATIC MOTORIZED OPENING SYSTEM. THE DOOR BEGAN TO OPEN AND THEN STARTED TO GENERATE SOME LOUD, UNUSUAL SOUNDS; AS IF THE DOOR WAS UNDER SOME TYPE OF STRESS. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE DOOR THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD TOWARD ME. THE GLASS SHOT OUT ABOUT 6 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. I RECEIVED GLASS CUTS ON MY FACE AND ARMS ALTHOUGH IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER. THEY BELIEVE THAT SOME FOREIGN OBJECT LODGED UNDER THE ROOF TOP REAR SPOILER. THE SPOILER IS ATTACHED TO THE WINDOW GLASS AND MOVES BACK WHEN THE DOOR OPENS. SINCE IT WAS 9 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I BELIEVE THAT ICE HAD FORMED UNDER THE SPOILER. I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN OF THE REAR OPENING MECHANISM IS FLAWED. THE MOTOR SHOULD HAVE SENSED THAT IT WAS EXERTING AN UNDO AMOUNT OF FORCE IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DORR AND SHOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF OR DISABLED ITSELF, SIMILAR TO HOW GARAGE DOORS OPERATE WHEN THERE IS A RESTRICTION SENSED. CHRYSLER/JEEP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE INCIDENT BUT REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE FAULTY DESIGN. *TT