NHTSA Complaint #10605755 — 2011 DODGE JOURNEY

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AT ABOUT 55 MPH SO WE SLOWED DOWN AND IT STOPPED. AS WE CONTINUED ON TO CHURCH THE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AGAIN AND WE DROVE A LITTLE FASTER AND THEN SLOWER. WE MADE IT TO CHURCH AND AS WE PARKED THE CAR WE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR THERE WERE METAL PLATES POPPING OUT OF THE WHEEL. I NOTICED THE CAP ON THE WHEEL WAS MELTED. THE METAL PLATES WERE TOO HOT TO PICK UP AND THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND COMPLAINTS ON LEMONLAW.COM. THERE ARE ALSO 12 REPORTED COMPLAINTS ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. IF DODGE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM LIKE THIS; WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID AN ALL POINT CHECK UP. THE ONLY THING THEY RECOMMENDED WAS A TUNE-UP. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE CALIPER GOT SO HOT IT DAMAGED THE CERAMIC BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR. HE SAID THE CALIPER COULD HAVE LOCKED UP AND WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN ACCIDENT. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT DID NOT HAPPEN HOWEVER IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE. THE REPAIRS WERE OVER $400. I SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS EXPENSE ON THIS NEW OF A VEHICLE. THIS IS THE FIRST DODGE I HAVE EVER OWNED AND LOVED THIS VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. NOW I AM NOT SURE I WILL EVER OWN ANOTHER ONE. VERY DISAPPOINTED TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR