NHTSA Complaint #10764205 — 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

SIGNIFICANT RUSTING HAS SPREAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL CORNER PANEL AND BENEATH THE SLIDING DOOR ROCKER PANEL, LEAVING LARGE AREAS OF VISIBLE RUST AND MISSING PAINT, AS WELL AS REVEALING ERODED/CHIPPED CHUNKS OF METAL OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. MULTIPLE BODY SHOP EXAMS HAVE SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS ORIGINATED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, LEAVING LITTLE TO NO EASY FIX. THERE IS ALSO MINOR RUSTING OF THE SAME SORT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN AS WELL. EXPERT CONSULTANTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS DAMAGE MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS HAZARD IF/WHEN THE ROCKER OR PANEL PORTIONS OF THE AFFECTED AREAS DROP FROM THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE EITHER OF THE REAR TIRES. THIS ALSO POSES A RISK TO ANY TRAFFIC THAT MAY BE TRAILING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME PARTS SEPARATING DUE TO RUST. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CHRYSLER HAS REMOVED CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS GALVANIZATION, AS DESIGN-TO-COST MEASURES THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE IN THESE PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL, AND IF NOT, THEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE PURSUED TO HOLD CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE WELL KNOWN DESIGN DEFICIENCIES.