NHTSA Complaint #10096021 — 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA - PURCHASED RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER HOUSTON:1) I HAVE HAD ON-GOING MINOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE REQUIRED FOR ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO THE RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS DURING THE PAST YEAR (LEMON?). 2) YESTERDAY OCTOBER 18, I EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE WORST PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I WAS LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAS AT A STOP SIGN. I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF METAL WAS BREAKING AND CRACKING. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO GRAB ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO CONTROL IT. I HAD TROUBLE STEERING IT AS THE WHEELS DID NOT SEEM TO WANT TO MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT TO THE SIDE AND GET ASSISTANCE (I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HGWAY, AS THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE BEEN GOOD). THE CAR HAS 20,000 MILES. I DO NOT TRAVEL FAR AS I AM A STAY HOME MOM AND MOST OF MY DRIVING IS DOING ERRANDS AND TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO RIVER OAKS, CHRYSLER IN HOUSTON WHERE THE CAR IS SITTING IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE LATEST I HEARD WAS THAT THE AXLE BROKE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A 1 YEAR OLD CAR AND IT HAD A MAJOR FAILURE SUCH AS THIS ONE. SO MANY THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS VECHICLE THAT I FIND IT UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE AND I HATE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. LEESBETH SILVA. *AK