NHTSA Complaint #10567822 — 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR A SCHEDULED INSPECTION OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE INSPECTION WAS GOOD, BUT A SHOP NOTE INDICATED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE TECH FILLED THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REP INDICATED SHE WOULD CALL ME LATER WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE COST TO REPAIR THE LEAK SITUATION. WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LATER CALLED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION UNIT AND CONNECTING HOSES, ETC. I ASKED ABOUT THE COST, AND WAS TOLD THE COST WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $1100! I EXPRESSED MY DISMAY AND SAID I NEEDED TO THINK THAT OVER. THE SERVICE REP THEN INDICATED I SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE STEERING FLUID LEVEL UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE! THIS VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW! I HAVE APPROX. 12000 MILES ON IT IN ALMOST 5 YEARS! I INVESTIGATED THIS SITUATION VIA THE INTERNET, AND I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. I THEN SEARCHED RECALLS, AND TO MY SURPRISE, THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS! I AM OF THE OPINION THAT CHRYSLER MOTORS SHOULD HAVE MADE THE OWNERS AWARE OF THIS RECURRING ISSUE, SO OWNERS COULD HAVE HAD REPAIR WORK DONE WHILE SAID VEHICLES WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I CONSIDER THIS TO NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART(CHRYSLER), AND FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR IN PART OR IN FULL. I APOLOGIZE IF I AM FILING MY REPORT WITH THE WRONG AGENCY, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU REVIEWING THIS SITUATION OR REDIRECTING ME TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAY ASSIST ME. *TR