NHTSA Complaint #10235053 — 2001 DODGE STRATUS

ON 7-12-08 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND GOT LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AWAY, GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 45MPH. SHE HEARD A NOISE POP AND THEN A RUB. SHE PROCEEDED TO THE DRIVE AND INTO THE GARAGE. SHE CAME INTO THE HOUSE, GOT ME AND I LOOKED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE IS ROTTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM (WHICH REACTS WITH STEEL AND ROAD SALT). THE STRUT BROKE FREE AND RUBBED A 3/16" GROOVE INTO THE TIRE. ALSO LOOKING AT THE LEFT SIDE IT IS ALSO ROTTED OR CORRODED. I AM PRETTY UPSET ABOUT THIS FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, IF SHE WERE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 69 AT 70 MPH AND IT BROKE FREE, THE TIRE WOULD OF BEEN CUT IN HALF. PROBABLY SENDING THE CAR INTO A SPIN INTO THE DITCH, OTHER CARS, OR A GUARD RAIL. THIS WOULD OF BEEN DISASTROUS LET ALONE HAVING SOME KIDS IN THE CAR. SECOND, I CALLED THREE DEALERSHIPS IN THE FORT WAYNE AREA ON 7-14-08, ONE TOLD ME THERE ARE 1200 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 1300 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 9000 ON BACK ORDER. ALL OF THEM SAID THEY WOULD NOT COME IN UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. I ORDERED 2 REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON 7-14-08 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF 7-20-08. WHAT IS A PERSON TO DO WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE MONTH? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR