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Lock recall for Chrysler
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May 31, 2001: 8:19 p.m. ET
DaimlerChrysler announces recall of door locks on 136,000 Chrysler minivans
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WASHINGTON (CNN) - DaimlerChrysler announced Thursday it will install new door locks on about 136,000 minivans after government tests showed the sliding doors on some models separated from the vehicles in side impact crashes.
The minivans affected are the 2001 models of the Chrysler Town and Country, Chrysler Voyager, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan, all with manual key locks. Vans with remote or keyless entry are not affected.
DaimlerChrysler (DCX: Research, Estimates) said the defect affects about one-third of the 2001 models sold. It will send letters to owners of the minivans explaining how to get free repairs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noticed the problem with the sliding doors during regular rollover resistance tests and crash tests. The vans received high marks for passenger protection -- five stars -- in side impact crash tests. They also received high marks for driver protection. Impact forces on test dummies were low, but the unlatching and partial opening of the door raised concern among testing engineers.
"This is an excellent example of how the government's crash test ratings program helps the American public," said L. Robert Shelton, NHTSA executive director. "Our tests identified a problem and we worked together effectively with DaimlerChrysler to resolve it."
In frontal impact tests, all the minivans received four stars for both driver and passenger protection. In rollover resistance tests, all received three stars. 
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DaimlerChrysler
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