NHTSA Complaint #11454357 — 2021 DODGE DURANGO

2021 Dodge Durango R/T power liftgate fails to recoil when an obstruction is met before latching. The liftgate will squeeze upon object and try to latch and then it just stalls. The problem has been demonstrated over and over again at two different dodge service centers. It has been replicated by technicians in the field. FCA Corporate is aware of my complaint. The field representative said this is normal. If this was a child’s hand or an animal’s paw, it would be crushed, until it stalls. The owners manual clearly states if anything obstructs the powerlift gate while it’s closing or opening the liftgate will automatically reverse to the closed or open position after multiple obstructions in the same cycle to liftgate will automatically stop and must be opened or closed manually. This happens on the first attempt not multiple attempts. There is nothing in the owners manual warning customers about this safety hazard. I am not excepting the answer this is operating as designed. This needs a full investigation and should be a recall on all dodge vehicles which my understanding is manufactured after 2011 until present, according to service manager. This can be duplicated using towels rolled up, cargo liner sticking out of trunk, or other objects like a beach chair bag is how we discovered it. Furthermore, if in a parking lot or at home and you are going into store/home it looks liked it’s latch. Your vehicle is liftgate is unlatched! You do get a warning message on dash obstruction detected, but the liftgate fails to recoil as it just try’s to squeeze itself locked. Then it just stalls. FCA executive agrees the instruction do not line up with the way it’s described to work. What will it take? A small child’s hand, a dogs leg, or someone’s fingers? Dealer said it was pinch sensors but now stated they are not the issue. It’s a poor design with power lift gate strut. Vehicle was in shop for 45 days.