NHTSA Complaint #10184350 — 2002 CHRYSLER 300M

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON 02/06/07 APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING SPACE. WIFE WENT SHOPPING RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE STARTED VEHICLE BEGAN BACKING UP TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THIS LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS BARELY MOVING AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT DAMAGE OR INJURY. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED MOMENTS BEFORE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MICHAEL CHRYSLER/ KIA I9N NEW LONDON CONNECTICUT 06320. ROY THE SUPERVISOR IN VEHICLE MAINTENANCE / SERVICE INDICATED THE BOLTS HOLDING BOTH ENDS OF THE CONTROL ARMS WERE SNAPPED OFF BUT STILL INTACT. TO FIX THE MECHANICAL PROBLEM WOULD COST $1,200.00 AND NEW PARTS. HE ATTRIBUTED THE DAMAGE CAUSATION AS A HARD IMPACT SUCH AS POTHOLE. HE AGREED THE DAMAGE DID NOT SHOW ANY IMPACT WITH A FOREIGN OBJECT AND WAS UNUSUAL IN OCCURRENCE. VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM CHRYSLER PREMISES FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT PADGETT AND SOSN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 61 TRUMAN STREET NEW LONDON, CT. 06320 PHONE 442-5134. *JB