NHTSA Complaint #10118077 — 2005 DODGE DURANGO

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND I FELT A JOLT. THEN CAR LEANED TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY AND THEN JERKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE FEET INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS PINNED SHUT BY THE PILLAR. WHEN I GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE I SAW MY LEFT FRONT TIRE LAYING FLAT PARALLEL WITH THE GROUND, PINNED PARTIALLY UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE TIRE (THE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, BRAKE LINE, ETC.) WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE TIRE. WHERE THE UPPER BALL JOINT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE METAL, AND THE TIE ROD WAS SNAPPED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMPACT WITH THE PILLAR. I AM CURRENTLY IN LITIGATION WITH THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY WERE SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT. I WAS DRIVING A 2005 DODGE DURANGO WITH 2042 MILES ON IT THAT WAS PURCHASED ON 11/30/04.*AK