NHTSA Complaint #10644389 — 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

MY 18YR SON WAS DRIVING THE VAN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH) WHEN HE DESCRIBED A SUDDEN INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AND THE BRAKES HERE HARD TO PUSH. HE THOUGHT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VAN HE DRIFTED INTO THE PASSING LANE WHERE A CAR TO THE REAR OF HIM STRUCK HIS REAR QUARTER PANEL, CAUSING HIS VAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SPUN AND CAME TO REST IN THE MERIDIAN. THE POLICE REPORT STATED" NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKES LOCKING UP" AS THERE WAS NO SKID MARKS IN THE ROAD WAY UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING THE ROAD SIDEWAYS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDES SUBSTANTIAL FRONT, SIDE AND REAR PANEL DAMAGE THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, EXHAUST PUSHED UP INTO REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE FORCE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO SLIDE OUT OF PLACE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON TO INCLUDE THE AIR BAG LIGHT. WE CALLED CHRYSLER BECAUSE WE SAW THE RECALL ON LINE. MEANWHILE 5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL STATING IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE THE CAN UNTIL THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED.THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATION TEAM TO EXAMINE THE VAN AND DETERMINED THE BRAKES WERE AT FAULT. HOWEVER THE BRAKES WERE NEW INCLUDING ROTORS 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND UPON HAVING MY OWN INSPECTION DONE THE BRAKES WERE FOUND IN WORKING ORDER, NO WARPED ROTORS OR BURNT PADS THAT WOULD SUGGEST A BRAKE LOCK UP AT 65MPH,TIRES(SNOW TIRES AS MY SON WAS HEADING TO COLLEGE IN NORTHERN MAINE ) ARE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FLAT AREAS (AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT WITH BRAKES LOCKING UP) WE HAD ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS CHECKED AND FOUND AN YAW WARNING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WITH NO OTHER ENGINE CODES NOTED. ALL ENGINE LIGHTS WERE LIT UP AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT MUCH LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHUT THE IGNITION OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ONLY TO RESET UPON NORMAL RESTART. *TR