NHTSA Complaint #10151310 — 2000 DODGE CARAVAN

2000 DODGE CARAVAN SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AT A SPEED OVER 55 MPH, STRIKING THE FRONT END AND UNDERCARRIAGE AS IT CAREENED DOWN AND THEN UP A DRAINAGE DITCH, TO THE EXTENT THAT PARTS OF THE VAN WERE TORN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGED. THE VAN THEN WENT THROUGH A WOODEN FENCE STRIKING ONE OF THE MAIN POSTS WITHIN THE ANGLE OUTLINED ON THE PAMPHLET DODGE SENT IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT, AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE CARAVAN WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN MULTIPLE INJURIES: TO THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM, HEAD WHEN IT BOUNCED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL REPEATEDLY KNOCKING HER UNCONSCIOUS, INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK, AND RIGHT RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT. WE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WERE SENT A FORM LETTER DENYING ANY FAULT IN DEPLOYMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2004 CITING THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING. *JB