I consider myself an “older” millennial. We’re the individuals born in the early to mid-’80s—not quite part of Gen X, but old enough to recall the times of landlines and cassette tapes. And like many of my peers, I grew up travelling in the rear of a minivan.
More specifically, I grew up in the back of two minivans. Both were Mopars—a late-’80s Plymouth and a 1994 Dodge—and neither was exactly perfect. The Voyager was decent, although it had a four-cylinder engine and no airbags, so we didn’t hold onto it long enough for it to break down on us; we moved up to the Caravan. That one came with the Mitsubishi V6, and it was generous enough to wait until it had roughly 100,000 miles on the odometer before it really began to deteriorate on us. That occurred just as I was heading off to college. Can you guess what I drove there?
At that point, that Caravan was a disaster, both in terms of condition and reputation. The AC wouldn’t stay charged, the engine leaked oil from various spots, and the appeal of its manual windows and just-satisfactory V6 had completely faded. But hey, I had transportation. And despite its shortcomings, I can say one thing about that oily wreck: it never attempted to smack me in the face.
Yep, you read that correctly. In the face. As illustrated in the above video, GM’s badge-engineered minivans from the early ’90s featured a neat design touch. The back edges of the front doors were angled back, resembling the winglets on a contemporary jet. It looked sharp. However, it also meant that the top of the door was significantly longer than the middle, where the handle was located. The angle isn’t exceedingly aggressive, but there’s a difference of a couple of inches. You can observe this from various perspectives in this nostalgic review from our friends at MotorWeek:
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport SE | Retro Review
It became such a concern that GM engineered an entirely new component to fix the issue. It’s GM part # 10186057. Go ahead and look it up. Yep, it’s a sticker… with a printed advisory that reminds passengers to be cautious when closing the door while exiting, to avoid hitting themselves in the face with the trailing edge of the frame.
I need to point out that GM’s advertising campaign for the Oldsmobile Silhouette included a claim about the company’s skill in industrial design. I believe that qualifies as irony—and I’d know, being friends with a lot of Gen X individuals. They created irony; just ask them.
Have a news tip? Reach out to us at [email protected]!
**GM’s Older Minivan Door Design Raises Safety Issues; Solution Involves a Sticker**
General Motors (GM) has recently faced criticism regarding safety concerns associated with the sliding doors of its older minivan models. Reports have suggested that certain minivan doors may unintentionally open while the vehicle is in motion, creating a serious risk for passengers and pedestrians. This situation has raised alarms among safety advocates and consumers, prompting GM to respond.
The affected models mainly consist of the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay, and Buick Terraza, manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The design of the sliding doors in these vehicles has been recognized as a potential danger, particularly for families dependent on minivans for transport. The chance of doors opening unexpectedly could result in severe accidents, especially if children are inside the vehicle or if the doors swing open into traffic.
In light of these safety worries, GM has introduced a distinctive remedy involving the use of a sticker. The company has started providing warning stickers to owners of the impacted minivans, cautioning them to ensure that the sliding doors are securely closed prior to driving. This sticker acts as a visual cue for drivers to verify the door status, consequently lowering the chances of accidents due to an open door.
While the sticker solution may appear straightforward, GM has stressed the significance of consumer awareness in reducing risks linked to the malfunctioning door mechanism. The company has also advised minivan owners to take their vehicles to authorized service centers for comprehensive inspections and, if required, repairs to the door system. This proactive strategy aims to enhance safety and reassure customers about the dependability of their vehicles.
Alongside the sticker initiative, GM has been exploring long-term solutions to tackle the fundamental mechanical problems with the sliding doors. This includes potential redesigns and upgrades to the door locking apparatus in forthcoming models. The company is committed to ensuring that safety remains a primary focus in its vehicle designs and that customers can trust the integrity of their automobiles.
Consumer reactions have varied regarding the sticker solution’s effectiveness. Some owners value the proactive communication from GM, while others believe a more solid mechanical fix is essential to fully resolve the safety issues. Advocacy organizations have also weighed in, urging GM to implement more comprehensive actions to ensure the safety of its minivans.
As the automotive industry continues to change, the situation surrounding GM’s old minivan doors emphasizes the necessity of promptly and effectively addressing safety challenges. While the sticker solution may function as a temporary fix, it highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in vehicle safety standards and manufacturers’ responsibility to prioritize consumer safety above all else.