US expands probe into nearly 1 million Dodge SUVs over door locks

National Highway Traffic Safety ministration on Friday upgred and expanded its investigation into nearly 1 million Stellantis Dodge sport utility vehicles over faulty door locks and windows after a report of one death tied to issue.

In May 2023, NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into 82,000 2009 model year Dodge Journey SUVs. agency said Friday it h upgred its probe to an engineering analysis covering 992,000 Journey vehicles from 2009 through 2020 model years.

NHTSA said it first opened investigation after a report of a person allegedly entrapped and killed during a vehicle fire that resulted in a death in Middleton, Wisconsin in December, 2022.

NHTSA said it is still exploring cause of fire and any potential link door-lock malfunction.

regulator said re were 19 potential incidents of door and window malfunction incidents including fatality in Wisconsin.

An engineering analysis is a required step before NHTSA could demand a recall.

"We extend our sincerest sympathies to family and friends of customer whose life was lost, and we are providing NHTSA with our full cooperation," Stellantis said in a statement.

Or complaints filed with NHTSA say owners h issues with SUVs including doors failing to unlock.

owner of a 2010 Dodge Journey in Oklahoma said vehicle experienced "random and erroneous electrical problems which included doors unlocking" and later owner "was also locked inside vehicle after locking mechanism malfunctioned."

owner of a 2018 Dodge Journey in Nashville told NHTSA she was locked inside her vehicle after key fob and door panel failed but "was able to crawl out of vehicle through  window."