NHTSA Complaint #707661 — 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

Complaint Details

ODI Number	707661
Vehicle	1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN
Component	STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
Date of Incident	June 12, 1999
Date Filed	June 18, 1999
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	IN

Consumer Description

FAILURE OF BOLT ATTACHING THE RIGHT LIFTGATE STRUT ROD TO VEHICLE. THE BOLT BROKE OFF WHEN LIFTING THE LIFTGATE. THIS CAUSED THE LIFT ROD (HYDRAULICALLY PRESSURIZED) TO EXTEND, PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE HEADLINER OF THE MINIVAN. THERE IS NO SECONDARY 'CATCHER' MECHANISM TO RESTRAIN THE STRUT ROD IF THIS BOLT BREAKS. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE OTHER LIFTGATE TO SUPPORT IT ALONE, OR TO SLOWLY LET THE LIFTGATE DOWN. THEREFORE, IF THE BOLT FAILURE HAD OCCURED WHEN THE LIFTGATE WAS RAISED UP, THE LIFTGATE WOULD HAVE SLAMMED DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. HAD I BEEN UNDER THE LIFTGATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. HAD MY TODDLER BEEN THERE, HE COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT THIS DESIGN IS ALLOWED SINCE ONE FAILURE OF ONE BOLT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES.

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