NHTSA Complaint #10478621 — 2011 DODGE AVENGER

THERE IS A SIZABLE WATER LEAK ENTERING THE TRUNK LID INNER PANELS, ORIGINATING FROM THE LACK OF A PROPER SEAL AROUND THE THIRD HIGH BRAKE LITE ASSEMBLY( CHMSL). THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CHRYSLER SINCE THE 2008 MODEL YEAR OF THE AVENGER, STRATUS, SEBRING AND PT CRUISER. THEY ARE CURRENTLY USING THE SAME TRUNK LID AND LIGHT ASSY, AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. CHRYSLER HAS ADMITTED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM AND ASSIGNED A TSB # 23-016-12 IN THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IT STATES THE CORRECTIVE MEASURE FOR DEALERS IS TO REMOVE 2 RUBBER DRAIN PLUGS, AND NOTHING ELSE. SO THE WATER STILL ENTERS BETWEEN THE OUTER AND INNER TRUNK LID ASSY, EXITS THROUGH THE LATCH ASSY, AND NOW THE REMOVED DRAIN PLUGS ALSO. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SIMPLE FIX CHRYSLER HAS ASSIGNED IS A HAZARD FOR 2 REASONS. 1/ WATER IS IN CONTACT WITH POWER TERMINALS ON THE TRUNK LID LATCH ASSY, 2/ WATER IS NOT COMPLETELY REMOVED, AND RESIDUAL PLUS WATER COMING OUT OF LATCH ASSY SITS AND STAGNATES, AND PROMOTES THE GROWTH OF MOLD SPORES. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THERE IS AN OPEN CASE HISTORY, AND THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING. I INFORMED THEM I WOULD TAKE THIS ACTION. *TR