NHTSA Complaint #10104288 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

I WAS RETURNING FROM A LUNCHEON WITH AN ESTIMATING FIRE MARSHALL FOR WEST VIRGINIA AND A NICHOLAS COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF. WHEN DRIVING HOME TO BRAXTON COUNTY I SUDDENLY FELT A SUDDEN JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THEN BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I STRUCK A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE THEN ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES, ENTRAPPING ME INSIDE AND UPSIDE DOWN. IT WAS NOTED LATER THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD BROKEN LOOSE. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO BRAXTON COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS EXAMINED AND KEPT OVER NIGHT FOR OBSERVATION. I SUSTAINED NO BROKEN BONES, BUT SUFFERED SEVERAL CONTUSIONS WHICH CAUSED SEVER PAIN. DEALER WAS TOLD THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, BUT WAS ONLY INTERESTED WHEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WOULD BE HERE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2004 DODGE. DURANGE MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 2003. I AM VERY UPSET AT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS IN TO THE GARAGE ON DECEMBER 17TH FOR A RECALL ON THE POSITIVE BATERY CABLE TO BE FIXED DUE TO RUBBING ON THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. I RESPONDED TO THE RECALL NOTICE THE VERY DAY I RECEIVED IT. I ASK THE MECHANIC TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE HOIST, AND AT LEAST LOOK AT THE FRONT END COMPONETS, BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A 2004 MODEL, AND IT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL CONCERNING THAT PROBLEM, AND THAT THEY WERE VERY BUSY. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOU TIME IN THIS MATTER, AND I HOPE IT WILL PREVENT SOMEONE ELSE FROM HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE I DID, AND SAVE THEM THE PAIN AND SUFFERING I AM, OR THE POSSIBLITY OF BEING KILLED. I INVESTIGATED AUTOMOBILE FATALITIES OFTEN IN WEST VIRGINIA. I DON'T WANT MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE TO BE A STATISTIC.*AK