AUTOS

Chrysler Minivans May Be Recalled: Federal regulators are leaning toward asking the auto maker to recall about 4 million of its popular minivans because of allegedly unsafe rear door latches, the Detroit News reported. The rear hatch doors in Chrysler Corp. minivans have popped open in 51 accidents, with 74 passengers being thrown out and 25 deaths reported, the government said. NHTSA has been investigating the safety of the latches since October, 1993. Critics of the minivan, led by attorneys for crash victims, claim the vehicle’s rear liftgate door is prone to pop open in rear-impact collisions. Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau said the Detroit News’ report of a possible recall request was “premature.”