NHTSA Complaint #10327303 — 2003 DODGE DURANGO

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) OWNERS OF 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO OWNERS ARE REPORTING A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT POWER SEATS. MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCE A "ROCKING BACK AND FORTH" OF THE SEATS WHEN ACCELERATING AND STOPPING. MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT TURNS OUT THERE IS A "WASHER" THAT KEEPS THE ROD THAT CONNECTS TO THE POWER SEAT MOTOR UNIT UNDER THE SEAT. THERE IS A HEX SHAPED WASHER THAT HOLDS THE ROD IN PLACE. THIS HEX SHAPED WASHER SNAPS AND BREAKS OFF. THE RESULT IS A WHIP-LASH TYPE JERK WHEN COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS IT IS COMMON AND SUGGEST THAT THE COST OF REPAIR CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $700 FOR PART AND LABOR. THE FIX SUGGESTED BY DEALERSHIPS IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR, THOUGH IT IS THE HEX NUT HOLDING THE ROD FROM THE MOTOR THAT IS THE CULPRIT. THE FIX SIMPLY REQUIRES A NEW HEX WASHER WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT BRACKET ALONG WITH NEW BOLTS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THAT IN AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY BRAKING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IS WHIPPED FORWARD AND BACK WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE NECK AND BACK. ATTACHED ARE LINKS TO A SITE WHICH DESCRIBES A FIX TO THE PROBLEM AND ANOTHER LINK, WHICH IS ONE OF MANY ON THE WEB, WHICH ILLUSTRATES CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/DODGE/DURANGO/R33777/COMMENTS/ HTTP://WWW.CRAIGCENTRAL.COM/DURANGO/SEAT.ASP [XXX] *TR