Investigations
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA04031 - closed, opened 2004-11-22 and involving the CHRYSLER CHRYSLER.
NHTSA investigation EA04031 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2004-11-22 and currently closed. The subject of record is CHRYSLER CHRYSLER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CHRYSLER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-04-07 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA04031 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related CHRYSLER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION. DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE. IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other CHRYSLER Investigations
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.