NHTSA Complaint #10043389 — 1996 DODGE AVENGER

THE CAR (1996 DODGE AVENGER ES) WAS IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE READY TO FALL OFF THE CAR AND NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF $260. I ASKED IF THIS WAS THE SAME BALL JOINT THAT WAS COVERED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. AFTER A LONG PAUSE, THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS, AND THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT (FIX AT NO COST TO ME). A SECOND SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A WEEK LATER. THE CAR WENT IN, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHEN EVER I HIT A BUMP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I INSPECTED THE CAR MYSELF AND FOUND A LARGE CRACK IN THE FRAME AROUND THE FRONT-MOST UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLT ON THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT TOWER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE WRITER REMARKED BOY, THAT IS THE LARGEST CRACK I'VE EVER SEEN. YOU SHOULDNT DRIVE THAT CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. I SUPPOSE THE BALL JOINTS BEING BAD AND HAMMERING THE SUSPENSION CAUSED THAT [FRAME] TO CRACK. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE WRITER HAD NO ANSWER WHEN ASKED HOW THEY MISSED THE CRACK DURING THE WORK ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP GENERAL MANAGER, AND TO THE DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER; NO ONE AT DODGE WOULD FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS CAUSED THE STRESS CRACK OR THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM; DESPITE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR SEBRINGS AND AVENGERS WITH VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE CRACK IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. IT HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, HOWEVER I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH HOW IT WAS HANDLED BY DODGE AND THE DEALER. *LA