NHTSA Complaint #10348580 — 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500

RESONATOR FAILED AT 15,200 MILES CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY SPRINTER WAS PURCHASED FROM MAXWELL DODGE IN AUSTIN TX ON MY BEHALF BY SPORTSMOBILE IN AUSTIN WHO DID AN RV CONVERSION ON IT. THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER FROM MY HOME IS MOSS BROTHERS DODGE IN SAN BERNARDINO CA THEY REPLACED THE RESONATOR ON 9/18/09 WITH MILEAGE AT L5,308. WITH REPORTS OF MULTIPLE FAILURES, INCLUDING FAILURES OF A NEWER REVISION, I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS. MY VAN IS USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CAMPING, USUALLY IN REMOTE MOUNTAIN AREAS WITH NARROW STEEP ROADS, OFTEN WITHOUT GUARD RAILS WHICH DO NOT HAVE AREAS TO PULL OVER OR PASS. THIS WOULD ENDANGER LIVES IN THE EVENT OF A RESONATOR FAILURE WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE INCAPABLE OF MOVING ON AN INCLINE AS WELL AS DANGEROUS ON A FREEWAY WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND AN ALUMINUM RESONATOR WHICH ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM. MOSS BROTHERS DODGE TOLD ME THEY HAVE INSTALLED THIS RESONATOR, HOWEVER THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PROVIDE IT AND SIGN A WAIVER BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE A FILTER. IF A PROBLEM OCCURS WITH THE TURBO WHICH IS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY PARTICLES THAT GOT THROUGH THE SYSTEM, IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. UPDATED 10/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/10 *TR