NHTSA Complaint #10477115 — 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HOME AT ONLY 35 MPH, MY WIFE HEARD A LARGE BANG AND IMMEDIATELY LOST THE POWER STEERING, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE ALUMINUM CASTING HAD BROKEN THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET FOR THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR AND SERPENTINE BELTS WERE LAYING NEAR THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM SINCE I KNOW IT IS NOT USUAL FOR THE CASTING TO BREAK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER THAT WE HAVE HAD ALL THE SERVICE FOR THE VEHICLE PERFORMED. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CASTING BROKE AND THEY SEEMED CONCERNED ALSO AT THAT POINT. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAD THE REPAIRS MADE AT A COST OF OVER $1500.00. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CVR PKG-ENGINE BECAUSE THE BREAK WAS PART OF THE CASTING FOR THE COVER OF THAT PART. I THEN CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN GOING 75 ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ROUNDING A CURVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SUCH A BREAK COULD EASILY CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH. I TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR MAINTENANCE ITEM, BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT SINCE THE ALUMINUM CASTING BROKE AND NOT THE BRACKET. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CASE MANAGER ONLY CAME BACK WITH A STATEMENT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 138000 MILES AND THEY COULD OFFER ME ONLY $465.00 TOWARD THE REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, OR CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIRS, I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR OTHER UNKNOWING DRIVERS. I HAVE THE PICTURES AND I HAVE THE PART IN MY POSSESSION IF ANYONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS! *TR