NHTSA Complaint #10243904 — 2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER

MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND WAS HARD TO STEER. I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE OVER THERE FOR ME TO CHECK OUT. AFTER LIFTING THE FRONT END, THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FELL OFF OF THE CROSSMEMBER. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION, THE ENTIRE CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED THROUGH. IF THE CONTROL ARM HAD FALLEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, THE CAR MAY HAVE FLIPPED CAUSING INJURIES OR POSSIBLY DEATH. CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST DECEMBER OF 2006 AND ISSUED A SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF ANY PROBLEM. AFTER CALLING THE GM CONSUMER HELP DESK, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE MILEAGE. SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART WHICH IS SUBJECT TO WEAR AND TEAR IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A TIME , NOT MILEAGE, CONSTRAINT IF ANY, SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR