NHTSA Complaint #10175429 — 2006 JEEP COMMANDER

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDER 4X4 4.7L DURING A THUNDERSTORM AND DROVE THROUGH ABOUT A FOOT TO A FOOT AND A HALF OF WATER AND WOUND UP BLOWING MY ENGINE. OTHER SUVS IN THE AREA MADE IT THROUGH THE WATER WITH NO PROBLEM BUT MINE DIED IN THE WATER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR INTAKE ON THE VEHICLE IS LOW, JUST BELOW THE FRONT BUMPER. THIS IS A "TRAIL RATED" VEHICLE WHICH IS BOASTED TO PERFORM WELL IN "WATER FORDING". CHRYSLER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS NOT DUE TO MECHANICAL DEFECT, THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR DRIVING THROUGH WATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AS INTENDED. IF THIS IS THE CASE JEEP SHOULD NEVER HAVE "TRAIL RATED" THIS VEHICLE. IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MECHANICAL DEFECT, BUT IT SURE IS DESIGN DEFECT. *NM