NHTSA Complaint #10177986 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

ON 12/31/2006, AS WE WERE LEAVING IN OUR 2004 DODGE DURANGO, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISM ENGAGED, AND THEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND WOULD NOT DIM. WE INITIALLY COULD NOT GET THEM OFF, BUT WE FINALLY WERE ABLE TO TURN OFF MOST OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS EXCEPT FOR LIFTGATE LIGHT. SINCE THAT TIME, NONE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. ALSO, ON THE AWD AND 4WD SWITCH PANEL, THE NEUTRAL LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE ALARM ALSO GOES OFF WHEN USING THE KEY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 1/2/2007, AND THEN HAD TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR AN ACTUAL APPOINTMENT. THEY INFORMED US THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL, WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE, IS ON BACK ORDER, AND WE HAVE TO WAIT 3 WEEKS TO TAKE IT IN SO THEY CAN ORDER PARTS. WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A RENTAL CAR AS IT WILL TAKE POSSIBLY 4 DAYS, AND APPARENTLY WE CANNOT ACCRUE MILES ON THE DURANGO DURING THAT TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRES, WE ARE LEAVING THE CAR OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY JUST IN CASE. *NM