NHTSA Complaint #10604720 — 2004 BUICK RAINIER

FRAME ROT ? I BROUGHT MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE STATUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ROTTED THROUGH. THE STEEL DESIGN OF THE FRAME IS ?CUPPED? NEAR THE REAR WHEELS AND THERE WAS NO DRAIN HOLE IN THE AREA TO ALLOW THE ROAD WATER AND DEBRIS TO ESCAPE. HE ADVISED THAT IF I WERE TO GO OVER A POTHOLE OR HIT A BUMP THAT THE REAR WHEEL WOULD CAVE INWARD AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HE WELDED ON A STEEL PLATE TO STABILIZE THE AREA AND DRILLED A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND UNDERCOATED THE AREAS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE COST OF THE STEEL PLATE REPAIR, UNDERCOATING AND LABOR WAS $180. *TR