NHTSA Investigates Complaints about GM and Ford Brakes and Chrysler Doors

11/29/96

The Associated Press has reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating consumer complaints filed about anti-lock brakes on GM pickups and sport utility vehicles and Ford minivans and sport utility vehicles. The agency is also probing complaints regarding side doors and liftgates on Chrysler minivans.

The NHTSA's most extensive ongoing investigation involves more than 7,000 complaints that anti-lock brakes on General Motors pickups and sport utility vehicles failed to stop the vehicles in time. The NHTSA is investigating 1992-95 GMC Suburbans and 1991-94 Chevy Blazers, GMC Jimmys, Oldsmobile Bravadas, Chevy S-10 pickups, and GMC S-15/Sonoma pickups. There are over 2 million of these vehicles on the road.

The NHTSA is also investigating hundreds of consumer complaints that say anti-lock brakes on some 1995-96 Ford Windstar minivans are not working properly. Out of 327 complaints filed with the NHTSA, 76 included reports of accidents attributed to the brakes. Other owners say that it sometimes takes longer to stop the minivans because of a loss of braking power.

Ford says it has recorded 64,000 warranty claims on the brakes, but that it is not clear how many of those claims involved customers who wanted their anti-lock brakes replaced because they believed the brakes lost power. NHTSA engineers will analyze the brakes for defects. There are more than 620,000 Windstars on the road.

Ford spokeswoman Francine Romine MacBride said, "we are aware of the investigation and are working with NHTSA to resolve the concern."

Since March, the NHTSA has been investigating the engineering of anti-lock brakes on about 570,000 1993-94 Ford Explorers. The agency received about 50 consumer complaints saying that the brakes locked up during stopping.

The NHTSA is also investigating consumer complaints about sliding side doors on 1996 Chrysler minivans and rear liftgates on 1991-1993 Chrysler minivans.

19 consumers have filed complaints with the NHTSA saying that the side door of their 1996 Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country models slides open while the vans are traveling at highway speeds. Chrysler has received 5,199 warranty claims against the side doors. Reports say that the side doors can open anywhere from a few inches to wide open. The problem could affect 1.27 million vehicles. The NHTSA said that Chrysler made three changes to the sliding doors as of January 1996, and that they have received no reports of door openings concerning the modified doors.

The NHTSA engineers are also examining 477 complaints that say open liftgates on 1991-1993 Chrysler Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country models suddenly slammed shut. The liftgates weigh 90 pounds, and consumers have reported 39 injuries resulting from the closures.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel