2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER

SUSPENSION:REAR

THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Risk: A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that the sliding door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle was opening independently. The contact had the vehicle modified because as a disabled driver, and had a ramp installed for the wheelchair. The contact stated that whenever the sliding door was opened, the ramp failed to fully deploy. The contact stated that the sliding door was opening at various speeds. The contact stated that he had taken the vehicle to the company that had modified the vehicle. The company advised the contact that the vehicle was nearly 20 years old, and that parts to repair the sliding door were no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.