The defect
THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
The risk
PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chrysler Town And Country | 1992 |
| Dodge Caravan | 1992 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 1992 |
| Plymouth Grand Voyager | 1992 |
| Plymouth Voyager | 1992 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Town And Country | 1992 | 135 | 8 |
| Dodge Caravan | 1992 | 913 | 9 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 1992 | 255 | 6 |
| Plymouth Grand Voyager | 1992 | 244 | 6 |
| Plymouth Voyager | 1992 | 701 | 9 |
Other structure recalls in 1997
21 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the structure; CHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 640 campaigns in all.
| 97V232000 18 Dec 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V235001 18 Dec 1997 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 97V229000 11 Dec 1997 | EAST MANUFACTURING CORP. |
| 97V180000 20 Oct 1997 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 97V164000 22 Sept 1997 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES |
| 97V137000 19 Aug 1997 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 97V130000 18 Aug 1997 | COLLINS BUS CORPORATION |
| 97V117000 25 Jul 1997 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997