NHTSA Complaint #10723316 — 2008 HONDA FIT

RIGHT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT OF FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE FAILED UNDER ACCELERATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP IN INTERSECTION. EXAMINATION OF FAILED DRIVE SHAFT SHOWS CLASSIC FAILURE UNDER TORSION. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS COMPROMISED BY SEVERE CORROSION THAT REDUCED THE DIAMETER OF THE DRIVE BY APPROXIMATELY HALF THE ORIGINAL DIAMETER. SEVERE CORROSION IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE RUBBER VIBRATION DAMPER INSTALLED ON THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT TRAPPED WATER AND SALT GREATLY ACCELERATING CORROSION. PORTIONS OF THE SHAFT NOT COVERED BY THE RUBBER VIBRATION DAMPER WERE NOT AFFECTED BY CORROSION ALLOWING A DIRECT COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL DIAMETER. CURRENTLY, I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A CORRODED LEFT DRIVE SHAFT ABOUT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME.