NHTSA Complaint #720950 — 1996 CHEVROLET VAN

FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HINGE. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED THE HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO DROP DOWN. THIS FAILURE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS LEANING AGAINST THAT DOOR, EITHER FALLING OUT OR INTO THE OPENING RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY. THE GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE HINGE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MILEAGE CAN EFFECT THE LIFE OF A HINGE WHICH SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER HINGE ON THE SAME DOOR WAS VERY STIFF AND NEEDED PIN REPLACEMENT. IT MAY HAVE METAL FATIGUE AND BREAK LATER. THE MATING DOOR IS ALSO VERY STIFF AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE METAL FATIGUE AND FAIL LATER. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BROKEN HINGE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR CONSIDERED TO BE AN ABNORMAL FAILURE BY THE DEALER. *AK