NHTSA Complaint #10493258 — 2009 DODGE DURANGO 4X4

DURING THE FIRST EPISODE/EVENT, SUDDENLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF, THE WARNING CHIMES SOUNDED, THE ILLUMINATION FOR THE RADIO AND OTHER SIMILAR COMPONENTS BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THERE WAS A PERSISTENT LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AS WELL AS VARIOUS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FLASH EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX UNDER THE DASH HAD 'CORRODED', AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO WATER FROM FOLLOWING A WIRE LEADING FROM THE ROOF. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A SUN/MOON ROOF. THE COST, PARTS AND LABOR, WERE OVER $ 800.00. IN JANUARY 2013, THE SAME SYMPTOMS RETURNED. THIS TIME AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER AND THE SAME PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY THE "WATER FROM MY BOOTS." THE FACT THAT THIS JUNCTION BOX IS ABOVE THE FLOOR LINE MAKES THAT EXPLANATION IMPLAUSIBLE. THE COST TO REPLACE PARTS AND LABOR, $ 775.00. *TR