The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. 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 | 1991, 1993, 1994 |
| Dodge Caravan | 1991, 1993, 1994 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 1991, 1993, 1994 |
| Plymouth Grand Voyager | 1991, 1993, 1994 |
| Plymouth Voyager | 1991, 1993, 1994 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
Other structure recalls in 1999
20 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the structure; DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION filed 203 campaigns in all.
| 99V339000 15 Dec 1999 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 99V310002 24 Nov 1999 | MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC |
| 99V321000 15 Nov 1999 | VAN-CON, INCORPORATED |
| 99V313000 4 Nov 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V310001 3 Nov 1999 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 99V297000 27 Oct 1999 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 99V251000 17 Sept 1999 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 99V228000 15 Sept 1999 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999