NHTSA Complaint #10594871 — 2008 JEEP COMPASS

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL, TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INCORRECTLY (STUCK IN WRONG GEAR), AND MELT ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS CAN BE OVERRIDDEN WITH A RELEASE SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, THE BRAKES LIGHT FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AS WELL AS CAUSING EXTREMELY POOR PERFORMANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED SPEED AND CONTROL INSTABILITY. DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, IT CAUSED SEVERAL ADDITIONAL WIRES TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR ANYONE ELSE THIS HAPPENS TO. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT WOULD ALLOW A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO HINDER THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WHY DID THE SHORT NOT BLOW A FUSE? TYPICALLY, THAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR