# NHTSA recall 97V079000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 97V079000
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Reported: 1997\-05\-16
- Owners notified: 1997\-08\-15
- Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
- Units potentially affected: 436000

## What is wrong

THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE.  IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER\-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.


## What can happen

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT \(AND INTEGRAL BOLTS\) WILL BE REPLACED.  IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.


## Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING AUGUST 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1\-800\-853\-1403.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-800\-424\-9393.


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1992 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY](/makes/chrysler/town-and-country/1992/recalls.md). Built 1991\-07\-01 to 1992\-06\-30.
- [1992 DODGE CARAVAN](/makes/dodge/caravan/1992/recalls.md). Built 1991\-07\-01 to 1992\-06\-30.
- [1992 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN](/makes/dodge/grand-caravan/1992/recalls.md). Built 1991\-07\-01 to 1992\-06\-30.
- [1992 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER](/makes/plymouth/grand-voyager/1992/recalls.md). Built 1991\-07\-01 to 1992\-06\-30.
- [1992 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER](/makes/plymouth/voyager/1992/recalls.md). Built 1991\-07\-01 to 1992\-06\-30.

## Investigated as PE96035, EA96027 and RQ99004

This recall followed 3 NHTSA investigations. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE96035: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1996\-05\-06, closed 1996\-10\-31. ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE. STRUCTURE.
- EA96027: Engineering analysis, opened 1996\-10\-31, closed 1997\-05\-16. ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE. STRUCTURE.
- RQ99004: Recall query, opened 1999\-04\-19. REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/97V079000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/97V079000/investigations)

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [233599REVA](/bulletins/612160.md), 2000-06-06, Service bulletin
- [230397](/bulletins/51942.md), 1997-07-17, Service bulletin
- [230693](/bulletins/39541.md), 1995-11-01, Service bulletin
- [231393A](/bulletins/39529.md), 1995-11-01, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/97V079000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/97V079000)

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