Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Government investigating door handles on Volkswagen SUVs

Associated Press

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DETROIT -- The government is investigating door handles on the Volkswagen Touareg after an owner complained that his daughter's hand was injured when the sport utility vehicle's door swung open and caught her hand in the door frame.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it was examining the 2004-05 model years of the SUV after receiving the report that the exterior door handle does not allow the door to latch properly.

The preliminary investigation involves more than 53,000 vehicles.

An owner reported his daughter's hand was injured while riding in the SUV when the door swung open and then shut, jamming her hand between the door and door frame.

NHTSA said the automaker issued a technical service bulletin to dealers in June asking them to correct a problem with the outside door handle sticking in the open position.

Volkswagen spokesman Tony Fouladpour said the company was cooperating with the investigation. He said the vehicle has a warning system that tells occupants when any of the doors are ajar.

On the Net:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Volkswagen: http://www.vw.com/