NHTSA Complaint #10171798 — 2006 DODGE DAKOTA

WE PURCHASED A NEW 2006 DODGE DAKOTA IN AUGUST. AFTER TEST DRIVING SEVERAL MODELS WE ORDERED ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE NOT TOLD THAT WE WERE TEST DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH TILT WHEEL. SO THE VEHICLE WE RECEIVED HAD NO TILT WHEEL, WHICH WOULD BE FINE IF YOU COULD SEE THE SPEEDOMETER WHEN THE SPEED IS 50 TO 70 MPH. THE DRIVERS ARE 5'6" AND 6' TALL. THE 6' TALL PERSON HAS THE SEAT BACK AS FAR AS THE LEGS WILL ALLOW AND HAS THE SEAT TILTED BACK. THE 5'6' PERSON IS UNABLE TO SIT UP STRAIGHT IN THE SEAT AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS A DESIGN FLAW AND WE ARE STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. TILT WHEELS SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION IT SHOULD BE STANDARD. CHRYSLER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TOLD US THAT ITS WAS OUR PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TALK TO THEIR MANAGERS AND EVENTUALLY HUNG UP ON US. WE WERE UN ABLE TO CONTACT THE CHRYSLER REGIONAL REPRSENTATIVE FOR OUR AREA, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO GIVE OUT THAT INFORMATION. EVERYONE HAS BEEN QUITE UNCOOPERATIVE IN THIS SITUATION.