NHTSA Complaint #10260916 — 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONV

DOT APPROVED, NYS INSPECTED TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED ON A 2006 CHRYSLER, PT CRUISE. IT REMAINED OPERABLE FOR AROUND 6 MONTHS UNTIL IT WAS NOTICED THAT REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. HITCH INSTALLER RETRACED INSTALLATION PER MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER TO OPERATE THE BRAKE LAMPS IS LOST ONLY TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS BUT NOT THE MID OR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED, FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN AND BULBS USUALLY CHECK OUT AS FINE. APPARENTLY, CHRYSLER HAS SEPARATED THE 3RD OR MID BRAKE LIGHT FROM THE TAIL LIGHT SECTION BEGINNING IN 2006. LATELY, I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ARISE CONTINUOUSLY OVER INTERNET BLOGS AND IN DEALERSHIP SERVICE LOGS. FOR NOW, CHRYSLER IS FORCING ITS CUSTOMERS TO EITHER REPLACE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESSES OR OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT STOP TAIL LAMPS. THIS FAULT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM POSES SO MUCH DANGER IT SHOULD BE LISTED AND HANDLED AS A VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL. *TR