NHTSA Complaint #10413452 — 2011 JEEP COMPASS

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 TRAVELING AT 65 - 70 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE SOUND AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF OUR 5 WEEK OLD 2011 JEEP COMPASS SUDDENLY DROPPED. UPON COMING TO A SKIDDING STOP IN THE CENTER DIVIDE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL AND TIRE HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING ONLY THE CENTER PART OF THE WHEEL BOLTED TO THE CAR. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE ROTOR. THE WHEEL'S FIVE SPOKES WERE COMPLETELY SNAPPED AND THE TIRE STILL ATTACHED WITH SEVERAL BURN HOLES ON THE SIDE WALLS BUT NO TREAD DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR EXCEPT FOR TIRE MARKINGS ON THE SIDE AS IT DETACHED FROM THE JEEP COMPASS. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE FOUND APPROXIMATELY 60 YARDS DOWN THE FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT CHP SAID IT WAS A VERY FORTUNATE SITUATION AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE. THE JEEP CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CAN NOT EXPLAIN IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAN NOT EXPLAIN IT BUT SAID IT WAS TOO COST PROHIBITED TO PAY FOR FORENSIC TESTING ON THE WHEEL SO WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE DAMAGE AND NOT THE "WHAT IFS". WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE WHEEL TESTED FOR POSSIBLE STRESS FRACTURES. OUR COMPASS HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MONTH AND CHRYSLER HAS STILL NOT SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT IT DESPITE OUR MANY CALLS. DO NOT WANT TO HAVE JUST THE ONE WHEEL FIXED AND GET BACK IN THE CAR IF ALL THE WHEELS COULD BE DEFECTIVE. WE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. *KB