NHTSA complaint #11425971

Owner complaint summary

We have had intermittent issues with the rear hatch not closing when any buttons or key fob pushed since purchase. On 7/2/21 aprox 6:30 pm I was walking around rear of the vehicle the rear liftgate was fully open. A passenger pressed rear hatch button to close not realizing at that moment I was walking under I am 61.7" tall the liftgate came down full force on my head it did not beep and retract. It continued pressing down something sharp pierced my scalp and I was knocked to the ground, bleeding from the wound with severe neck and head pain and pain in 3rd right finger I had landed with hand underneath. I was driven to the local ER diagnosed with a closed head injury and laceration, CT scans were done of head and neck, and x-ray of right hand, 2 staples were inserted to close the wound. We were able to reproduce and videotape the liftgate failing to stop. A report was filed with Chrysler Customer Care ID no 7992588. On July 14 at 1 pm an engineer met us at dealership from Bosch and witnessed the lift gate force sensor not engaging twice. He refused to video tape this or to allow us to take a videotape, or to submit the video we had previously taken. He took photographs only. We asked him twice and he stated that he had witnessed the problem and it would be in his report. He downloaded into his laptop from the car computer and told us there was a software update needed for the rear liftgate. On 7/20/21 we received an email from Stellantis Special Investigations fcagroup.com stating that "After review of the inspection report and photos no apparent defect was found with the liftgate operation at the inspection. Therefore we respectfully decline any assistance associated with this matter". We had dealership do the software update on 7/21/21. On 7/22 I contacted customer care to receive a written version of the email as it will not print legibly and this was refused. I requested a copy of the engineering inspection report and this was also refused.