NHTSA Complaint #10731236 — 2005 HONDA PILOT

I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND ITS BEEN A GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE. I NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE CAR HAD BEEN SAGGING A BIT BUT I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE OF THE MILES IT HAD AND FIGURED THE SPRINGS WERE JUST A LITTLE WORN OUT. MY WIFE PULLED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE AFTERNOON AND I NOTICED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL (NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT IN TRUCK AREA). I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO INSPECT WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM AND SAW THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION CRADLE THAT'S MOUNTED TO THE UNIBODY CROSS MEMBER HAD BROKEN THE REAR TWO BOLTS COMPLETELY OUT FROM THE CROSS MEMBER. I TOOK PICTURES FOR DOCUMENTATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS MANY MILES ON IT BUT IT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER TOWED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING OVER 200 POUNDS IN THE TRUNK AREA. IN MY OPINION THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH WORSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY WATER SITTING IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND RUSTING IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CROSS MEMBER HAS FEW SIGNS OF RUST. EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS HAPPENING IN THE PAST I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOME ATTENTION BEFORE IT BECOMES A REAL PROBLEM. THANK YOU.