NHTSA Complaint #10481307 — 2009 JEEP PATRIOT 4X4

AT LESS THAN 370000 MILES, (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) I NOTICED A CLUNKING AND RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. WHEN TAKING OFF OR BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AROUND 5-10 MPH, THE CLUNKING IS REALLY LOUD. I DROVE TO CHRYSLER IN WIESBADEN, GERMANY, AND INFORMED THEM THAT I BELIEVE IT WAS A LOWER BALL JOINT MAKING THE NOISE ON BOTH SIDES. LATER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID I WAS RIGHT, AND THEY DO NOT DO BALL JOINT REPAIR, THEY REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MAKES SENSE, I AM A MECHANIC, SAE CERTIFIED, WORKING AT A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID I NEEDED A CV BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COST OF A CONTROL ARM (PART ONLY-600 EURO!!. COST OF A CV BOOT, JUST A PIECE OF RUBBER, 201 EURO. PARTS ONLY. TOTAL COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR WOULD HAVE BEEN 1,060 EURO, ABOUT 1200 US DOLLARS FOR ONE SIDE ONLY. I DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO ROB ME, SO I ORDERED BOTH SIDES, CONTROL ARMS, CV BOOTS, INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETE. I INSTALLED THEM WITH THE HELP OF MY SUPERVISOR USING MANUFACTURER'S DATA TO TORQUE ALL BOLTS AND NUTS. PARTS USED WERE CHRYSLER USA PARTS. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES THE SAME DAY. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND MANUFACTURE A FITTING PART. THE MATERIAL IS TOO CHEAP FOR SUCH A HEAVY CAR. SO, NO WARRANTY, NO RECALL (NOBODY DIED YET!) AND NO COOPERATION FROM CHRYSLER. *TR