
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994                   TAG: 9411280051
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

CHRYSLER VAN DEFECT LINKED TO 25 DEATHS

Rear lift gates in Chrysler minivans have popped open in 51 accidents, with 74 passengers thrown out and 25 deaths reported, the government said Friday.

The new numbers were much higher than the 13 such accidents and eight fatalities involving 1984-94 Voyager, Caravan and Town and Country minivans that the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration reported in March.

In response to the disclosure Friday, Chrysler Corp. spokesman Rick Deneau said the minivans are ``the safest minivans in the world. We have the utmost confidence in their safety and capability.''

About 4 million are on the road.

NHTSA said in March that it was investigating whether the alleged defect warrants a recall. The Detroit News reported Friday that regulators are leaning toward asking Chrysler to recall the minivans to replace the rear door latches.

Associated Press

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB