NHTSA Complaint #10173740 — 2002 DODGE NEON

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL RURAL ROADS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY VEERED TO THE LEFT HITTING A SCHOOL BUS AND BANKING OFF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF THE AXEL CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SHAKING ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED TIRE BALANCING AND ROTATION. AS THE SHAKING PERSISTED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT AND THE SHAKING DISAPPEARED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED A FEW MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD THE ALIGNMENT PERFORMED.