NHTSA Complaint #10551130 — 2005 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

VEHICLE WAS SUBMITTED TO AUTHORIZED NEW YORK INSPECTION STATION FOR YEARLY STATE-REQUIRED INSPECTION. VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. INSPECTOR CITED MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE "CRADLE" FRAME MEMBER SUPPORTING ENGINE, STEERING, AND SUSPENSION PARTS. "CRADLE" WAS COMPLETELY PERFORATED IN SEVERAL PLACES BY CORROSION, AND SHOWED SIGNS OF ADDITIONAL CORROSION WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO MORE HOLES. CRADLE WAS JUDGED STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED. INSPECTION STATION CONSULTED NY DMV AND IT WAS DETERMINED AND REPORTED TO ME THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE, AND THAT REPLACEMENT OF CRADLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RETURN VEHICLE TO SERVICE AND TO PASS NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT A MINOR IMPACT -- SUCH AS ENCOUNTERING A POTHOLE AT SPEED, OR HITTING AN OBJECT WITH THE FRAME OR BODY OF THE VEHICLE -- COULD CAUSE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT END STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF THE ENGINE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COLLAPSE OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AND POTENTIAL RESULTANT FIRE, EXPLOSION, AND INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE TO OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE OR OTHERS IN THE VICINITY. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEFT HIS WIFE STRANDED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR BRAKE WHILE DRIVING MANY TIMES, THE PREVIOUS YEAR. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED, LEAVING HIS WIFE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER REPLACED A FAULTY SENSOR. UPDATED 03/27/14