NHTSA Complaint #723705 — 2000 FORD EXPLORER

THE UPPER HINGE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PRESENTS A DANGER TO A PERSON ENTERING THE FRONT DOOR. I WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE AN EXEMPLAR VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THE REAR DOOR HINGES WHILE THE FRONT DOOR WAS OPEN. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A REPORTED INCIDENT IN LOUISIANA. A CHILD WAS INJURED BY THE UPPER HINGE OF THE REAR DOOR WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CHILD'S MOTHER OPENED THE REAR DOOR AS THE CHILD CLIMED INTO THE VEHICLE. EVIDENTLY THE CHILD WAS USING THE EXPOSED REAR DOOR HINGE AS A GRIP. THE HINGE APPEARS TO BE THE SAME MODEL AS USED ON THE FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCK. THE "STOP" WHICH LIMITS THE DOOR'S MOVEMENT IS A PIECE OF METAL THAT EXTENDS PAST THE PIN ON THE HINGE. THE "STOP" AND THE PORTION OF THE HINGE WHICH IS FASTENED TO THE FRAME HAVE THE SHAPE OF SCISSORS. THERE IS NO BODY PANEL TO LIMIT ACCESS TO THE REAR DOOR'S HINGE FROM THE OPENING TO THE FRONT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HINGE IF USED ON THE FRONT DOORS OF A VEHICLE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. THE HINGE USED IN AN UNPROTECTED AREA PRESENTS A HAZARD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. SINCERELY, DOUGLAS FLEMING P.E. *AK