NHTSA Complaint #10453283 — 2006 DODGE CHARGER

I BOUGHT MY 2006 DODGE CHARGER R/T BRAND NEW IN JUNE OF 2006. I ALWAYS FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS UNTIL THE PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTOFF. I NEVER TOPPED OFF WITH GAS OR CONTINUED FILLING THE TANK ONCE THE PUMP WOULD AUTOMATICALLY STOP. THIS WAS NEVER A PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS. LAST YEAR IN OCTOBER OF 2011 AT AROUND 73,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD STALL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY RIGHT AFTER FILLING UP IN LIVE TRAFFIC USUALLY AT A STOP LIGHT OR PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY. I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK SINCE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. TODAY AT 75,600 MILES ON MARCH 27, 2012; I FILLED UP AS USUAL AND THE CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I READ ON CHRYSLER OWNERS' FORUMS ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PLENTY OF CHRYSLER VEHICLES AND CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF IT. THE FIX IS A WHOLE NEW FUEL TANK WITH A BETTER FUEL VAPOR VALVE AND THE COST WOULD RUN $1300-$2000 FOR VARIOUS CAR, VAN, AND TRUCK OWNERS. THE ONLY OTHER METHOD I WAS ADVISED BY A DODGE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS NOT TO FILL THE CAR UP ALL THE WAY, PERHAPS TO 3/4 OF A TANK FULL. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR ANY DRIVER WHEN A CAR ENGINE STOPS, STEERING LOCKS, AND THERE IS TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. SOME DRIVERS WILL NOT KNOW HOW TO REACT IN THIS SITUATION. CHRYSLER SHOULD OFFER A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK INSTEAD OF CHARGING THE OWNER. *TR