Investigations
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA07003 — closed, opened 2007-02-14 and involving the DODGE DURANGO.
NHTSA investigation EA07003 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2007-02-14 and currently closed. The subject of record is DODGE DURANGO, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for DODGE. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2008-02-08 — 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 EA07003 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: "ODI'S INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED NO ISSUES IN THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OR QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS USED IN THE DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED FIELD INCIDENTS OF SI..." 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 DODGE files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI'S INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED NO ISSUES IN THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OR QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS USED IN THE DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED FIELD INCIDENTS OF SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURES SIMILAR TO THE FAILURES THAT OCCURRED DURING THE NHTSA RESEARCH TESTING OF THE DURANGO AIR BAGS. ADDITIONAL NHTSA TESTING CONDUCTED DURING THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN NO DIFFUSER TUBE FAILURES. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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 DODGE Investigations
Vehicle entrapment
Back up camera failure
Vehicle entrapment
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.