NHTSA Complaint #10273733 — 2005 DODGE SPRINTER 3500

JUNE 14, 2009 NHTSA: FOR THE 4TH TIME OUR WINNEBAGO DODGE SPRINTER/RV HAS LOST POWER DUE TO PARTS FAILURE [TURBO RESONATORS, SENSORS, AND/OR TURBOCHARGER]. NEEDLESS TO SAY THESE FAILURES TOOK PLACE WHILE MANY MILES FROM HOME AND AWAY FROM ANYONE WHO COULD HELP. WHEN CERTAIN PARTS FAIL, THE SPRINTER IS DESIGNED TO ENTER A "LIMP HOME" MODE AT A GREATLY REDUCED SPEED, THUS ENDANGERING US AS WE WERE TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS, FEARFUL WE WOULD BE REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK OR OTHER HEAVY VEHICLES. IN ADDITION TO IMPERILING OUR LIVES, WE HAVE ENDURED EXTRA EXPENSE AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE FOR DELAYED AND CANCELED TRIPS RESULTING FROM THESE BREAKDOWNS. JUDGING FROM FORUMS ONLINE RECENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE COMMON AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF IT, BUT, BY INACTION, HAS FAILED TO REMEDY. DEALERS REPLACED THE PARTS WITH THE SAME FLIMSY PLASTIC DEFECTIVE PARTS, WHICH IS NOT SATISFACTORY AS THEY WILL INEVITABLY FAIL AGAIN. A RECALL IS CERTAINLY JUSTIFIED. GEORGE AND BARBARA DEMATTEIS CC: DAIMLER CHRYSLER MOTORS CORP. WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES ED VOYLES CHRYSLER CONGRESSMAN LYNN WESTMORELAND. *TR