NHTSA Complaint #10153966 — 2000 DODGE CARAVAN

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE PART OF THE UNIBODY (BILATERAL STRUT TOWERS) ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARD. THE DRIVER SIDE IS IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. THE METAL IS SO CORRODED YOU CAN POKE A PEN THROUGH THE METAL ON THE STRUT TOWER LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANICS, USED PART DISTRIBUTORS: "THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CARAVANS OF THIS TIME FRAME ('96-2000). THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A "PATCH KIT" BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCED MECHANICS RECOMMEND REMOVAL OF STRUTS AND WELDING NEW ONES IN PLACE. THIS IS A COSTLY FIX DUE TO BEING LABOR INTENSIVE. REGARDLESS... AFTER SEVERAL CONTACTS WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER CONSUMER LINE, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT OR FOR PATCHING IT. THEY DO NOT FEEL IT IS A RECALL ITEM AND APPARENTLY ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL FIX MY VEHICLE AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND WILL NEVER BUY A PRODUCT FROM THEIR LINE AGAIN SINCE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND THE SAFETY/QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT YET AND I WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. *JB