GM Minivan Door Opening Under Investigation

GM- built minivans in model years 2005 and 2006 and 2007 units are being investigated by the federal government for complaints of power sliding doors that open on their own.

Suspect models include Chevrolet Uplander and Venture, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana, and Saturn Relay, equipped with one or more sliding power doors. If you've got one, watch out.

Federal safety investigators released this alert to the public:

EA07019


Year : 2005, 2006, 2007
Component :
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Date Investigation Opened : December 11, 2007
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
 NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY). SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND LATCHED BEFORE DRIVING AWAY CAUSING THE DOOR TO REVERSE (OPEN) AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS. HOWEVER, OTHER REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS INITIALLY SHUT THEN OPENED AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND/OR MILES AT VEHICLE SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH. ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE

The description is somewhat misleading, however, because the investigation actually started in August 2007. GM has responded saying that multiple safety systems are in place to prevent the doors from opening while the vehicle is in motion but some GM minivan owners would disagree.

If the door opens on your GM minivan, a child could fall out or objects could fall out of your vehicle and endanger other drivers. A deadly defect this obviously is.

If you've got a lemon Pontiac Montana or Chevrolet Uplander or Chevrolet Venture or Buick Terraza or Saturn Relay, don't take a chance. If GM or your dealer won't help you, contact us or for fast help call us at
1-888-331-6422 Toll Free.

Getting rid of lemons is what we do. Everyday.

Burdge Law Office
www. Us Lemon Lawyers .com
Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons Since 1978

Click here to see what your state Lemon Law says.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.