Chrysler recalls 2012 minivans for rear liftgate pinch risk

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of select Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models from the 2012 model year over a concern that a rear liftgate pinch sensor may malfunction – increasing the likelihood of injuring someone when the power door is trying to close with a person’s body part in the way.

This new Chrysler Group minivan recall affects 2012 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models built between March 9th 2012 and March 12th 2012 with just 471 units possibly involved in total. In these vehicles, the right side rear liftgate pinch sensor may not be working properly and in the event that the sensor is not working correctly and the power rear door was trying to close – someone with a body part in the door opening could stand to be injured when the door closes.

These Chrysler Group minivans are equipped with these built-in pinch sensors that help prevent people from basically getting crushed in the power rear liftgate. When the rear gate of the 2012 Chrysler T&C and the Dodge Grand Caravan are closing, these sensors monitor the amount of pressure pushing back against the electronic closing mechanism. The back pressure should never exceed the target amount and when it does, the sensor tells the rear gate to stop closing and swing back open. This way, if there is anything like a child’s hand or finger…or a dog’s tail…the door knows not to crush the object that is preventing it from closing. Unfortunately, with this sensor not working, the power rear gate system will not know to stop applying pressure and that poses a risk to anything around the door when it is trying to close.

Luckily, there have been no reports of injuries stemming from this Chrysler minivan liftgate issue but with the inherent risk to those people using the rear door of their 2012 Town & Country or Grand Caravan – the Chrysler Group has made the call to get them back to dealerships for repairs. Also, with only 471 units possibly fitted with the faulty sensor and the build dates less than two months ago, there is a good chance that no buyers have been injured as a result of this problem.

The recall is expected to formally begin later this month, when the Chrysler Group will ask the owners of these 471 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans to return to their local dealership where a certified technician will inspect and replace the right side rear liftgate pinch sensor. This work will be provided free of charge to the customer.