NHTSA Complaint #10409024 — 2008 DODGE AVENGER

MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER HAD BEEN SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MAY 2011. ON THE 24TH OF JUNE 2011 I DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DODGE DEALERS TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD ROARING NOISE AND JERK. I DROVE INTO AN EXIT IN ORDER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENTER THE YARD OF A STATION I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR KEPT SLIDING TOWARDS THE CURB. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL UP THE HANDBRAKES TO STOP THE CAR FROM RUNNING INTO THE CURB AND BEYOND. THEN IT STALLED BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE TO THE GAS STATION. BEFORE TOTALLY STOPPING, ALL THE LIGHTS AND INDICATORS ON THE DASH BOARD WERE GOING ON AND OFF LIKE CRAZY THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE HAD TO TOW THE CAR IN TO THE DODGE PEOPLE. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2010, THE SHIFT STICK WOULD NOT BUDGE FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DODGE DEALER IN BALTIMORE. IN JANUARY OF 2011, WE HAD HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO DODGE REPAIR SHOP FOR A PROBLEM FOR WHICH THEY HAD RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES, INCLUDING OURS. WE MENTIONED TO THE MECHANICS AT THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP ABOUT A LOUD NOISE THAT WE WERE HEARING. THEY HAD SAID THAT THE LOUD NOISE WAS PROBABLY THE ALTERNATOR. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MARCH 2009 AT A FORD DEALER IN BALTIMORE. WE NOTICED VERY SOON AFTER, THAT THE CLOCK RACED AHEAD. NEXT THE CONTROLS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT LOCK NOR UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS. ONLY THE CONTROLS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WORKED. THE COST TO FIX THE ALTERNATOR IS $650. IT HAS COST US, NOT ONLY CAR RENTAL FEES TAXI FEES AND TOWING FEES, BUT THE UNCERTAINTY OF SAFETY ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY UNFAIR DEAL FOR ANY CONSUMER. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND CONSUMERS COMPENSATED OR REFUNDED.. *TR