| Issue ID | 1377710 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10985501 |
| Manufacurer | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
| Brand | DODGE |
| Model | GRAND CARAVAN |
| Model Year | 2007 |
| File date | 29/12/15 |
| Component | AIR BAGS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | My wife is handicapped. I own a lowered floor minivan with a ramp for wheelchair access. Vantage mobility international ("vmi"), 5202 south 28th place, phoenix, az 85040, (602) 243-2700 did the conversion of my 2007 dodge grand caravan to make it handicapped accessible ("ramp van"). Dodge/chrysler ("dodge") works with vmi and a dodge dealer in tempe arizona to sell ramp vans nationwide through a dealer network. Ramp vans are sold through local dealers who provide both warranty and non warranty service for the conversion elements of the ramp vans. Local dodge dealers provide non-conversion warranty and non-warranty service. It is not unusual for each to point the finger at the other concerning electrical and mechanical problems. The driver's side front air bag does not work properly. It only operates intermitently. It has been taken to both vision dodge (920 panorama trail south, rochester, ny 14625, (585) 385-5700, and autocrafting 72 hinchey road, rochester, ny 14624 on several occasions for repairs to the airbag system. Autocrafting reported that vmi was involved in troubleshooting the problem. Between vision dodge and autocrafting there have been 3 or 4 attempts to fix the airbag problem to no avail. Vision dodge charged me substantial costs for repairs that did not fix the problem. Neither dodge nor vmi has been able to fix the problem. The air bag failure and the inability of dodge and vmi to fix it indicates a major design failure in an essential and legally required safety system. The airbag system goes on and off while being driven on city streets and highways as reported by the vehicle's warning lights. Whoever is driving the vehicle is at serious risk of death or injury should the van be involved in an accident with the airbag not working. Occurred 12/2015 and from october 2016 to date. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 50000 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | ROCHESTER, NY |
| VIN pattern | 2D4GP44L77RXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 30 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |