NHTSA Complaint #10045056 — 2003 DODGE DAKOTA

ON 2003 AND 2004 DODGE VEHICLES, THE PIECE OF TRIM AND WEATHER STRIPPING ARE NOT BEING PUT AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GAP BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CAR BODY RANGES FROM NONE TO 3/8 INCH WIDE BY 1/2 INCH DEEP. WATER COULD GET IN THIS GAP AND FREEZE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO COME LOOSE, CRACK, OR SHATTER. WATER EXPANDS AS IT FREEZES AND THE PRESSURE FROM THE EXPANSION COULD CAUSE SEVERE PROBLEMS IF THE WINDSHIELD CAME LOOSE, CRACKED, OR SHATTERED WHEN DRIVING. WATER IS NATURALLY GOING TO COLLECT IN THIS GAP EITHER FROM RAIN, CAR WASHING, OR SNOW MELTING. THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CAUSE THE WATER TO FREEZE FASTER IN BELOW FREEZING CONDITIONS. I NOTIFIED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, WHICH I DID AND THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS DONE BY THE FACTORY STARTING WITH THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ACTS AS IF YOU ARE BOTHERING THEM WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BUT I FEEL IT COULD BE A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE COLDER NORTHERN STATES LIKE OHIO. THE GAP RUNS THE FULL WIDTH OF THE BODY. THANKS.*AK