NHTSA Complaint #10047549 — 1999 CHRYSLER 300M

MY PASSENGER VEHICLE HAS A CRACK DEVELOPING IN THE DASH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS CRACK IS ABOUT 5-6 INCHES LONG AND APPEARS TO BE GROWING. IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SLIGHT DEPRESSION WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED. THIS CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY ANY COSMETIC MEANS DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF RENDERING THE AIR BAG INEFFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR SERVICE RECALL. THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR A MERE #1100.00 PLUS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SAFETY DEVICES ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE CARS WHEN THEY ARE NEW BUT THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY STANDARD THAT REQUIRES THE DEVICES TO BE FUNCTIONAL BEYOND THE DAY YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE? FOR ME AS A CUSTOMER THIS NEITHER PROTECTS ME BY ASSURING MY PERSONAL SAFETY NOR DOES IT PROTECT ME FINANCIALLY. THIS IS A RIP OFF. COULD ANY INDEPENDENT MANUFACTURER SURVIVE BUILDING THESE DEVICES AND SELLING THEM UNDER CONDITIONS THAT THEY WILL MOST LIKELY TO FAIL BEFORE YOU NEED THEM AND COST A BUNDLE TO REPAIR AND THAT INCLUDES NO WARRANTY. *LA