NHTSA Complaint #10193809 — 2007 CHRYSLER ASPEN

WE PURCHASED A 2007 CHRYSLER ASPEN DEC 23, 2006. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT MY INLAWS' HOME. IT WAS SHOCKING & MY FAMILY WAS SHOUTING OUT FOR ME TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT & KEEP FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THE NEXT WEEK I WENT TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT OF OUR SAFEWAY STORE TO GO ON TO THE MAIN STREET. I WAS STOPPED TO TURN RIGHT WHEN THE CAR LURCHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HORNS BLARED & CARS SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ME. I WAS JUST WAITING TO BE HIT! I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER W/466 MILES ON IT. THEY SAID THEY "COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN; OPERATING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME." IN FEB WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE THE CAR LURCHED VIOLENTLY WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE & JUMPED ABOUT 3 FEET. MY WIFE WAS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY & BEGAN SCREAMING. SHE CALLED THE SERVICE REP CRYING BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED I WOULD BE KILLED IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY KEPT IT, & WERE "UNABLE TO VERIFY CONCERN; VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME; MILES OUT 1040." MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. ALSO WHEN YOU INSERT KEY IN THE IGNITION IT STARTS @ 1300 RPM'S. THE DEALER SAYS WE SHOULD LET CAR SETTLE DOWN TO ABOUT 600 RPM'S WHICH REQUIRES A FULL MINUTE OF WAITING IN THE CAR BEFORE YOU CAN START TO MOVE. THEY THINK THIS MIGHT BE PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT TELL US THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. SO WE HAVE A CAR THAT MUST SIT BEFORE YOU CAN USE IT; YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT EVER VALET IT FOR FEAR THE ATTENDANT MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN A LURCHING INCIDENT. ON JUNE 4, 2007 SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME 3 OTHER ASPENS ARE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM. WE ARE SETTING UP A MTG W/GM TO ARRANGE TO TURN IN THIS CAR. MY WIFE HAS SET UP A FILE ON THE CAR & ADVISED FAMILY MEMBERS WHERE IT IS IN THE EVENT WE ARE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR SO THEY CAN INVESTIGATE IF THE LURCHING/BUCKING ACTION OF THE CAR CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.