NHTSA Complaint #10454027 — 2003 JAGUAR X-TYPE

LAST YEAR THE CAR EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT "A" PILLAR AREA AT THE BOTTOM WHERE IT BLENDS WITH THE ROCKER PANEL.WORKING ON THE CAR RECENTLY, THE CORROSION HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE THE FRONT JACK LIFT POINT AS OUTLINED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO LIFT FROM. THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE METALS ARE PASSED THE SAFE POINT. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS AT WHAT POINT DOES THE VEHICLE BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO FAILURE OF SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SAFETY. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS, JAGUAR DESIGNED THIS MODEL SO THAT THE DRAINS FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER AND VENT BOX DRAIN INTO THE A PILLAR. WHEN THE HOLE AT THE BOTTOM GETS PLUGGED WITH MUD OR ICE DURING THE WINTER THAT WATER MIXED WITH ROAD SALT CREATES THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR THIS RESULTING CORROSION. THIS MODEL CAR BEING DRIVEN IN AREAS THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DICING AS WELL AS CHLORIDES ON GRAVEL ROADS FOR DUST CONTROL WOULD ALL BE DEEMED UNSAFE BEFORE THE VEHICLES LIFETIME IS USED UP. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A WORLD CLASS AUTO MANUFACTURERS. *TR