NHTSA Complaint #11162383 — 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

THE REAR POWER LIFT GATE ON MY 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DOES NOT STAY OPEN WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING ITEMS BUT KEEPS CONTINUALLY CLOSING HARD AUTOMATICALLY WHEN NEEDING TO HAVE IT STAY OPEN TO ALLOW FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING. THIS HAPPEN WHETHER ONE TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE HANDLE MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER BUT NOT CONFINED TO WINTER ONLY. MY GRANDSON AND MYSELF ALMOST GOT CAUGHT MORE THAN ONCE AND INJURED IN ITS UNEXPECTED DOWNWARD FREE-FALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO ANYONE TRYING TO ACCESS THE BACK PORTION OF THE VAN AS THE HEAVY LIFT GATES CLOSES ON THEM TRAPPING THEM AND CAUSING POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN THE GARAGE OR STATIONARY IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT WHEN LOADING GROCERIES OR OTHER PURCHASES. OR WHEN PUTTING THE REAR SEATS UP OR DOWN TO UTILIZE BACK PORTION OF VAN. SOMEONE CANNOT HOLD THE LIFT GATE OPEN WHEN ANOTHER IS TRYING TO ACCESS THE BACK OF THE VAN AS THE LIFT GATE FALLS HARD AND CANNOT BE STOPPED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 93,360 MILES DRIVEN.