NHTSA Complaint #10047686 — 1994 DODGE SPIRIT

WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OUR PURCHASE OF THIS USED CAR IN 1999, THE PAINT WENT VERY FLAT AND THE CLEAR COAT STARTED FLAKING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE LEPROSY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER "DETAILED" THE CAR FOR SELLING AS THE PAINT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED FOR US THAT QUICKLY. IN FACT, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE TIMING WAS "JUST ABOUT RIGHT" TO SUPPORT "DETAILING" OF THE CAR. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND WERE TOLD THAT SINCE WE ARE NOT ORIGINAL OWNERS, THEY COULDN'T HELP US. EVEN IF WE WERE ORIGINAL OWNERS, THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON PAINT OR FINISH. YET, EVERY DODGE SPIRIT THAT WE HAVE SEEN SINCE SUFFERS THE SAME PROBLEM. ANY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT I HAVE CONTACTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AGREES THAT THEY ALL SUFFER THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT A RECALL. WE CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN TO THIS DATE, BUT HAVE HAD NEGATIVE RESULTS. SO, NOW WE DRIVE AN UGLY CAR THAT ALSO HAS SERIOUS STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL DEFECTS. *LA