NHTSA Complaint #10567483 — 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CIRCLE I YIELDED THEN SLOWLY PROCEEDED AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. THE STEERING WENT. I WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY GET IT TO A MECHANIC COME TO FIND OUT THE CRADLE HAD RUSTED, BROKE AND FELL AFFECTING THE STEERING. HE INFORMED ME IT WAS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING IT AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. AFTER PROCESSING A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER, HAVING IT TOWED THERE (AT MY EXPENSE) AND HAVING THE REGIONAL MANAGER TAKE A LOOK THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I DID SOME RESEARCH. THE 2004 & 2005 CRADLES ARE BEING COVERED BY CHRYSLER BUT NOT THE 2006 MODEL WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME FRAME. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN, LUCKILY HAVE MANAGED TO PAY OFF THE CAR WITH NO PAYMENTS AND NOW STUCK PAYING FOR A RENTAL CAR UNTIL I FIGHT THIS ISSUE FURTHER. (LIKE MANY WORKING PAY CHECK TO CHECK TO GET BY) I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THEIR VERY OWN SERVICE MANAGER WAS "SHOCKED" THAT THEY AREN'T OFFERING TO FIX IT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY 70MPH WHEN IT BROKE AND MY STEERING WAS COMPROMISED ENDING IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. SO I'M POSTING ON HERE WITH THE HOPES OF SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE HELPING ME WITH THIS PROCESS. I KNOW FROM SEARCHING THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE DEALING WITH THE SAME RUST ISSUE AND FEELING HELPLESS. I CAN'T AFFORD A CAR PAYMENT OR THE $3000 TO GET IT FIXED NOR SHOULD I !!! IT HAS $87,500 MILES ON IT AND MANY MORE YEARS ON IT TO DRIVE HAD THIS NOT OCCURRED. I ALSO DON'T WANT IT ON MY CONSCIOUS SHOULD SOMEONE DIE FROM THIS ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. *TR