NHTSA Complaint #10212680 — 2005 SATURN ION

PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL OF A 2005 SATURN ION 3, STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY WITH 27,000 MILES, LOCKED UP ON DEC 22, 2007 CAUSING A SINGLE CAR COLLISION. AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOKED THE CAR OVER AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AND SAW THAT THE SPINDLE WAS BROKEN, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD CAUSE ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE SPINDLE. HIS OPINION IS THAT THE SPINDLE (CAST ALUMINUM) WAS OVER-TIGHTENED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A DEFECT/HAIRLINE CRACK THAT FINALLY FAILED. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLAM INTO THE GUARDRAIL, THEN SPIN INTO A DITCH. WHEN THE SPINDLE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOTHING. INSURANCE HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE DAMAGE, AND DECLARED THE DAMAGE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR