NHTSA Complaint #10191418 — 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING

IN 12/2001 I PURCHASED A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI AND DISCOVERED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINKED. I REPORTED TO THE DEALER, WHO NEGLECTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 26, 2007 THE RADIO INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED OPERATING AND BEGAN TO BLINK EVEN WHILE TURNING OFF AND/OR NOT OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 05/18/07 FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR, AND AS IT TURNED OUT THE RADIO WAS CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO BLINK. ONCE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS NO LONGER BLINKED. THE PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO WAS ELECTRONICALLY BACK FEEDING INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS , CAUSING THE RADIO AND EVERYTHING IT BACK FEED INTO TO BECOME CHARGED BY THE BATTERY AND ON CONSTANTLY. THIS WAS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THIS WAS A PROBLEM CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF BY ISSUANCE OF THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #08-026-01 DATED 12/14/01 FOR 2001-2002 SEBRING/SEBRING CONVERTIBLE/STRATUS AND 2002 LIBERTY. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED. OTHER THAN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINKING, THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DID NOT BECOME EVIDENT UNTIL APRIL 26, 2007. I WAS LEFT TO PAY FOR FACTORY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. IT TOOK THIS PROBLEM 5 YEARS TO SURFACE, BUT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AS WELL AS CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH BY FIRE. PLEASE HELP ME AND ANYONE ELSE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES.*AK