NHTSA Complaint #10376764 — 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

AFTER A RECENT SNOW STORM I NOTICED A MID-SIZED YELLOW LEAK UNDER MY VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE WITH THE FLUIDS, BESIDES A SMALL LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE MY MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE RUST HOLD ON THE SUBFRAME ABOUT 10-12 INCHES LONG AND 1-2 INCHES WIDE. THE MOISTURE FROM THE SNOW WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE RUST AND CREATING THE YELLOW STAIN. THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED AT THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND SAID WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. AT THIS POINT IT'S STILL DRIVABLE, BUT IT MAY VERY WELL RUST TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED WE CHECK FOR RECALLS AS HE FELT THE FAILURE OF THE SUBFRAME TO KEEP IN TACT WAS BAD DESIGN BY THE MAKER. I CHECKED ON RECALLS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE 2004 MODEL. NOTHING CAN BE DONE, EXCEPT REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME, THOUGH WE STILL HAVE ANOTHER 5 YEARS LEFT ON OUR LOAN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR