All Investigations » Investigation PE02076

  Defect Investigation of Luggage Compartment Door Drops Abruptly

Investigation of Luggage Compartment Door Drops Abruptly

Subject: Luggage compartment door drops abruptly
Components covered:
  • Body hatchback/liftgate support device
  • Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Oct. 10, 2002. It was closed on Mar. 10, 2003. Odi has identified 30 incidents resulting in minor to moderate personal injuries that have been caused by abrupt door drops over the approximately eight - twelve year period of product usage and exposure (1991-1995 to 2003). Most of the injury incidents appear to have been caused by a fracture of the gas filled lift assist cylinder mounting stud. Stud fractures have occurred randomly over time and do not exhibit any apparent trend relating to date of vehicle production or time-in-service (exposure). The odi closing report summarizes the details of this investigation.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 1992 Ford Aerostar
  • 1993 Ford Aerostar
  • 1994 Ford Aerostar

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