NHTSA Investigates Doors on Some SUVs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is upgrading an investigation of
problems related to failing hinges that, in some cases, caused doors to fall off certain
DaimlerChrysler Jeep Cherokee sport-utility vehicles (SUV). NHTSA said it is investigating
Jeep Cherokee models made between 1993 and 1995 because of more than 2,500 complaints about
the problem that has been linked to two crashes and eight injuries. Complaints alleged that
in some cases the door hinges “crack, break and completely fail, allowing the door to sag
or separate from the vehicle,” according to NHTSA. NHTSA also said it has received almost
200 complaints about the alleged defect in 1993-95 models recently. Most of those
complaints involved the front driver’s side door. A change in the door system made for 1996
models apparently resolved the problem.