NHTSA Complaint #10045199 — 2000 CHRYSLER 300M

WHEEL CENTER CAP FALLS OFF. RUSTED THROUGH SPINDLE DUST COVER. WHEEL CENTER CAP IS HELD IN PLACE BY STEEL SPRING TABS. THE RIM IS ALUMINUM. THE CENTER CAPS START GETTING LOOSE AND WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING FOLLOWED BY THEM BRAKING AND FALLING OFF. THIS LAST TIME WHEN I GOT THE TIRES REPLACED THE TIRE INSTALLER INFORMED ME THAT SEVERE CORROSION WAS TAKING PLACE AND THAT THE SPINDLE DUST COVER HAD RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING MOISTURE AND DIRT TO ATTACK MY WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST TURNED THREE YEARS OLD AND I EXPECT THE WHEEL CENTER CAPS AND SPINDLE DUST COVERS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN A YEAR EACH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE WHEEL CENTER COVER(S) ARE TO BE REPLACED. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE WEATHER IN VA. I ALSO NOTED SEVERAL 300M VEHICLES IN PARKING LOTS WITH THE CENTER CAPS FLOPPING AROUND OR MISSING. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT OF COMBINING STEEL WITH ALUMINUM WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE COATING OR INSULATOR TO STOP THE CORROSION. *LA