Videos of Minivan Crash Tests Released : Autos: Tapes show failure of rear latch of Chrysler vehicles. But government inquiry did not result in formal recall.
On the same day that Clinton Administration officials made public a videotape showing crash test dummies flying out the rear of Chrysler-made minivans, they defended their controversial resolution of a two-year safety investigation of the vehicles.
Release of the videotape was forced by a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit and coincided with the formal conclusion to the investigation of the vans’ rear-hatch latches. As of midyear, failure of the latches may have contributed to 37 passenger deaths and 98 additional injuries, according to government records.
Under terms of the government’s agreement with Chrysler, the auto maker last month began notifying 4.3 million owners of minivans made from 1984 to 1995 that stronger replacement latches will be made available free of charge at local dealerships.
The government agreed in March not to declare the latches defective or to seek a formal safety recall, which would have exposed Chrysler to mandatory enforcement penalties.
Representatives of consumer groups and accident victims said the videotape of government crash tests unveiled Wednesday reinforces their view that the Administration has abdicated its responsibility by not taking a tougher stance with Chrysler.
The videotape shows the rear hatches on two Dodge minivans popping open and dummies flying out after side-impact collisions at 31 m.p.h. and 37 m.p.h. When vans made by two competing auto makers were exposed to the collisions of the same force, their rear hatches held.
“I’m at a loss for words to describe how inadequate the government’s response to this has been,” said Clarence M. Ditlow, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Auto Safety. Noting the high percentage of families that rely on minivans for safe transportation, Ditlow asked: “If you can’t protect children, who can you protect?”
Said Ralph Hoar, a consultant to attorneys for the accident victims, who sued to force disclosure of the videotape: “It clearly vindicates our position that the latches are hazardous.”
Ricardo Martinez, head of the Department of Transportation’s highway safety agency, defended the investigation, saying he remains convinced that Chrysler’s voluntary “service action” will result in swifter replacement of latches than would have occurred otherwise.
“Pursuing a formal safety recall would have triggered a contentious and lengthy legal battle between [the government] and Chrysler with an uncertain outcome,” Martinez, a physician appointed to his post by President Clinton, said at a news conference at which the videotape was played. Martinez called the outcome a “common-sense, smart government solution.”
However, Martinez and other transportation officials said in response to questions that they did not know what, if any, action they might take if fewer than expected Chrysler minivan owners get their latches replaced. In typical safety recalls, 68% of vehicle owners get defective parts replaced.
The response of minivan owners undoubtedly will hinge on whether they believe the original latches pose a danger. Chrysler officials have defended the original latches while saying that they want to satisfy any owners who might be worried.
In a statement Wednesday, Chrysler encouraged owners to replace the original latches and termed the vehicles “among the safest of all minivans.” A spokeswoman, Terri L. Houtman, declined to say whether Chrysler still maintains that the original latches are safe. Lawyers for Chrysler had opposed release of the videotape.
