NHTSA Complaint #10473101 — 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

MY MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THAT MY CAR HAS A RUSTED SUBFRAME, PARTS OF WHICH HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. IT IS DUE FOR INSPECTION BY THE END OF THE MONTH, AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS RUSTED BAD ENOUGH TO FAIL INSPECTION. I NEED THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF IT. I CHANGED THE TIMING BELT LAST YEAR, AND HAVE KEPT IT IN A GARAGE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR REPLACE THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS NOT NORMAL RUSTING. MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERS, NATURALLY, HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAS TOO MANY MILES AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN REPLACING SUBFRAMES IN SOME PACIFICAS, PARTICULARLY CANADA. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL; THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED OR SOMETHING. IT IS TIME FOR CHRYSLER TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPLACE THESE SUBFRAMES. WHEN VEHICLES RUST, IT SHOULD NOT START IN THE SUBFRAME. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER; I NEED THIS CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK AND FOR FAMILY USE. MY KIDS AND I ARE NOT SAFE IN IT, AND IF IT CAN'T PASS INSPECTION I WILL BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE! *TR