NHTSA Campaign 97V079000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Issued by CHRYSLER CORPORATION · Reported May 16, 1997 · 436,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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.

Consequence

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.

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.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 1992 436,000
DODGE CARAVAN 1992 436,000
DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 1992 436,000
PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER 1992 436,000
PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 1992 436,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 97V079000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.