NHTSA Complaint #10224094 — 2003 JEEP LIBERTY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACTS GRANDSON HEARD A LOUD BREAKING NOISE AND THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY LOCKED, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES WERE CORRODED FOR A VERY LONG TIME, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO FAIL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V288000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE FAILURE AND THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY OF THE DAMAGED COMPONENTS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. UPDATED 05/06/08 *BF THE CONSUMER HAD BRUSING ON HIS SHOULDER. UPDATED 04/01/11