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Interpretation ID: 000899_Kagimoto_antipinch

    Ms. Reiko Kagimoto
    Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
    260, Toyota 3-chrome, Oguchi-cho,
    Niwa-gun, Aichi-ken, 480-0195
    JAPAN


    Dear Ms. Kagimoto:

    This responds to your e-mail inquiry asking several questions about an "anti-pinch" requirement (i.e., an automatic reversal requirement) for power side sliding doors. Your questions are restated below, with our answers.

    Question 1: FMVSS No. 118 specifies the automatic reversal requirement for [some] power windows, partitions, and roof panel systems. Are sliding doors excluded from the requirement even if they have an automatic reversal system?

      Answer: Yes, sliding doors are excluded from FMVSS No. 118 automatic reversal requirements even if they have an automatic reversal system.

    Question 2: Does NHTSA have any plan to add sliding doors to the automatic reversal requirement of FMVSS No. 118 in the near future?

      Answer: NHTSA does not have any plan at this time to require an automatic reversal requirement for power side sliding doors. However, we are instituting a new database that will track injuries and fatalities associated with motor vehicle events that do not involve crashes. The database will include power window and power door injuries and fatalities. We could amend the FMVSSs in the future if the new database indicates a safety need to do so.

    Question 3: Considering the safety of vehicle occupants, should we advise our engineers to design the anti-pinch feature of their sliding doors to comply with the FMVSS No. 118 automatic reversal requirement?

      Answer: NHTSA does not have any recommendations as to whether the sliding doors should meet the FMVSS No. 118 automatic reversal requirement.

    I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact Ms. Deirdre Fujita of my staff at (202) 366-2992.

    Sincerely,

    Stephen P. Wood
    Acting Chief Counsel

    ref:118#206
    d.4/7/06