Engineering Analysis · SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE · Opened 1996-10-15 · Closed 1998-07-30
Investigation
Action number
EA96025
Type
Engineering Analysis
Open date
1996-10-15
Close date
1998-07-30
Manufacturer
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Affected makes
CHRYSLER; DODGE; PLYMOUTH
Affected components
STRUCTURE
Affected model years
1996
Affected (make, year) variants
3
Summary
ANALYSIS OF KNOWN INCIDENTS INDICATES A DECLINING TREND OVER THE LAST FIVE CALENDAR QUARTERS.EXTENSIVE TESTING OF INCIDENT VEHICLES HAS FAILED TO REPRODUCE OCCURRENCES OF FULL LATCH DISENGAGEMENT.NO FAILURE MODE WHICH COULD CAUSE A PROPERLY LATCHED DOOR TO LOSE FULL LATCH ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING HAS BEEN VERIFIED AS A CAUSAL FACTOR IN ANY OF THE KNOWN INCIDENT VEHICLES DURING THIS INVESTIGATION.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.HOWEVER, ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINT INPUT FOR THE NEXY YEAR AND WILL REQUEST UPDATED REPORTS FROM CHRYSLER DURING THAT PROCESS.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.