NHTSA Complaint #10578381 — 2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF STRESS CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC. THE FRACTURE CAUSED A MINOR LACERATION ON MY RIGHT HAND. THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AND I NOTICED THAT THE REMAINING DOORS HAVE MAJOR STRESS CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE AND ARE NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. WE MUST OPEN THE WINDOW TO OPERATE THE OUTSIDE HANDLES TO EXIT THE AUTOMOBILE. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS ALL PASSENGERS ,ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND THOSE UNABLE TO REACH THE OUTSIDE HANDLES QUICKLY, WOULD BE AT SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND TO A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM AND DID NOT OFFER ANY HELPFUL SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE FOUR DOOR PANELS AT MY EXPENSE. I WILL HAVE TO DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH RISK TO MY FAMILY HOWEVER IT IS NOT FAIR THAT A LARGE COMPANY IN THE US CAN IGNORE SUCH A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. HOPEFULLY AN ACCIDENT DOES NOT HAPPEN, PARTICULARLY AFFECTING CHILDREN OR SENIORS, BEFORE THEY SERIOUSLY ADDRESS THE DEFECT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF CONCERNS RAISED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET IT DEFINITELY AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE. I BELIEVE IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NHTSA TO PROTECT US FROM LARGE COMPANIES THAT KNOWINGLY PLACE US IN A SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION. PLEASE DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL IN ORDER TO KEEP US SAFE. *TR