NHTSA Complaint #10072552 — 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING

OWNER WAS CHANGING TIRE AND CUT HAND ON RIM. OWNER FOUND CHROME PLATING PEELING AWAY FROM THE BACK OF ALL FOUR RIMS UPON FURTHER INSPECTION. PIECES ARE METAL CHARDS >2 INCHES WHICH ARE PEELING AWAY AROUND WELD OF SPOKE (BACKSIDE OF RIM). COULD CUT OR INJURE A PERSON OR CAUSE TIRES TO PUNCTURE IF METAL FRAGMENTS WERE TO BREAK OFF DURING TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER (LAFLAM CHRYSLER, RUNNEMEDE NJ) WHERE DEALER STATED THAT RIMS WERE "COSMETIC" AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTEES. CHRYSLER SERVICE LINE WAS CONTACTED SAME DAY (FILE#129-7146). DEALERSHIP DENIED INQUIRY ABOUT RIMS AND THEN CLAIMED THAT THEY FELT IT WAS COSMETIC ALSO. OWNER FEELS THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND IS VERY CONCERNED AT CHANGEING TIRES AND WHAT MAY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THERE IS "NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT". THE OWNER HAS A CUT ON HIS FINGER TO PROVE THIS IS NOT COSMETIC.*AK