NHTSA Complaint #10468144 — 2012 DODGE AVENGER

07/07/12, 16,214 MILES: VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 16000 MILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, TO INCLUDE: LUBE, OIL, FILTER; TIRE ROTATION; AIR FILTER; INSPECT BRAKE LININGS; INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUSPENSION, TIE ROD ENDS AND BOOT SEALS FOR CRACKS OR LEAKS AND ALL PARTS FOR DAMAGE, WEAR, IMPROPER LOOSENESS OR END PLAY. IT WAS DISCOVERED DURING THAT ROUTINE SERVICE THAT THE GOODYEAR EAGLE LSII TIRES ON MY CAR SHOWED SIGNS OF SIDEWALL SEPARATION. TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE, 07/10/12 AT 16,463 MILEAGE. FOLLOWING THE TIRE REPLACEMENT (ONE WEEK LATER) HEARD A POPPING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION (THAT WAS JUST INSPECTED ON 07/07/12), CALLED DEALERSHIP TO TAKE IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR (WENT IN 07/19/12 AT 1:30PM). WAS SENT HOME, IN AFFECTED VEHICLE, STATING THAT THE MECHANISMS IN THE STEERING BOX WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, NO LOANER WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER, AND AN APPOINTMENT MADE FOR 07/30/12. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 07/28/12 TO CONFIRM PARTS ARRIVAL AND SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR 07/30/12: DURING PHONE CALL, MATT FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED YET, THEREFORE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. CANCELLED THE PRE-SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE STATED "WE WOULD PREFER YOU NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE CAN GET IT FIXED". AGAIN, ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LOANER/RENTAL, AS THIS IS A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR AND WAS REFUSED. IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE 7/19 APPOINTMENT TO PRESENT DAY, THE POPPING ON THE FRONT END CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL OF DAMAGE ON BRAND NEW TIRES FROM HAVING THE SUSPENSION MESSED UP. *JS