NHTSA Complaint #10469612 — 2010 DODGE JOURNEY

WE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY BRAKE RECALL FROM DODGE JAN OR FEB 2012. AT THE TIME MY WIFE WAS EXPERIENCING JERKING AND PULLING TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND DODGE WOULD COVER THE COST. THIS WAS AROUND FEB/MAR 2012 WITH APPROXIMATELY 17K ON THE VEHICLE. ON 4 AUG WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DODGE DUE TO THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY A CRACK PISTON HEAD AND DODGE STATED THAT THE PISTON WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, WE WERE THEN ADVISED THAT THE JERKING AND PULLING IN THE STEERING WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR BRAKES AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAID $534.00 TO HAVE THE REAR ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED. THIS DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME SO I CHECKED FOR ANY TSB/RECALLS, THE CAS WEBSITE, AND NHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEMS (BOTH FRONT AND REAR) HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH DODGE AND REPAIRS AND COSTS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE BOARD WITH DODGE EXCEPTING NO REAL FIX EXCEPT CHARGING CAR OWNERS ON REPEATED REPAIRS THAT ONLY FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 3-9K. IF THIS IS THE CASE NHTSA SHOULD MANDATE DODGE TO PROPERLY FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH CORRECT PARTS OR FULLY RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES. DODGE IS PUTTING MY WIFE AND SON IN DANGER EVERYTIME THEY SET FOOT IN THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THE AGENCY FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY SHOULD NOT ALLOW TO CONTINUE. WE CONSUMERS NEED A REAL FIX AND NOT A BANDAIDE ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND YOUR AGENCY SHOULD NOT ALLOW DODGE TO CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM. NHTSA SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE TAKING ACTION AGAINST DODGE. WE ARE NOT BEANS TO COUNT, WE ARE PEOPLE! *TR