Tailgate Latch Problems of Dodge Grand Caravan

We own a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with no automatic back door. After purchasing it in Nov 2004 and upon periodic operation of the door, my back started getting sore and painful. One day in Feb of 2005 after closing the back door manually within 2 days I reached over for an apple that fell on the floor and fell to the floor in terrible pain and had to be rushed to the doctor. I still have problems until this day and now have protruding disks in my lower back. I have never had low back problems and now sciatica before Feb 2005. I am getting tired of doctors and chiropractors to solve this problem. What can I do?.

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Erratically, the rear tailgate does not lock properly and opens while driving. No ajar warning light shown on the dash either before or after the incidents. The mechanism sounds like it has closed but it is not because the lock in the tailgate has already closed before it has reached the latch, therefore preventing proper closure. I have duplicated this issue on several occasions with both keyless entry remote and roof console control. Dealer repeatedly reports that they cannot duplicate issue, denies repair/replacement even though the tailgate has been previously replaced because of damage incurred by the tailgate popping open while driving.

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While driving, the tailgate loosened and flew open. Driver drove vehicle to the dealership for analysis and the mechanic told him that the timing inside of the lock mechanism was off and caused the door to lock prematurely.

On several occasions that the lift gate does not properly lock and opens while driving. If the rear lift is unlocked and opened using the kelsey entry, it may close the lock while its being opened and when you close using the keypad, it will appear to close and you hear the mechanism closing the door but it does not close because the lock is already closed. The warning light on the instrument panel extinguishes because it believes the door is closed. On one occasion I found myself driving down the highway with and opened back. Also the interior passenger dome light turns on by itself. I have been able to duplicate this problem numerous times.

I purchased a new Dodge Grand Caravan on 4/17/02. On 11/20/02 (for the second time since purchase - first time was 5/08/02), I had to take the van to the dealership because the automatic tailgate and sliding doors were malfunctioning. According to the dealership, it was reprogrammed plm as per bull.

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The lift gate bolt broke off on the right hand side. The gate crashed down on the back of my neck and back. This could have seriously injured my five year old if he were there. It could have seriously injured anyone for that matter. Please check into this matter. Two other people I spoke with have had the same problem. I told them to please report it. I think the 91-93 models had the same problem. The other problems are not as serious as this. I hope no one has to get seriously hurt by this before something is done. The gate is so heavy. I can not lift it to use it. The bolt is still broke off inside the panel. The dealer said the labor would be around $175. 00, as the panel must be removed. The part is a reman part. Cost $21. 00 #g0004532. I am very upset that a family vehicle is this unsafe, and the company isn't doing anything about it. I don't care if there were only three reported cases. That's three too many.

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