NHTSA Complaint #10767525 — 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY

2003 HONDA ODYSSEY EX WAS TAPPED IN THE REAR BY A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, CREASING THE LIFT GATE AND SLIGHTLY PUNCTURING THE BUMPER COVER. JEFF'S BODY SHOP IN CHESTER MD IS THE REPAIR SHOP. UPON REMOVING THE REAR BUMPER COVER, THEY DISCOVERED THE STEEL FRAME TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED, WITH OVER HALF OF THE BOTTOM OF THE BEAM MISSING. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE STEEL FRAME MEMBER FROM THE ACCIDENT. HAD THIS BEEN A MORE SERIOUS COLLISION, THE BEAM COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY FAILED AT ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. THIS VAN WAS GARAGE KEPT FROM 2003-2010, WELL CARED FOR AND GENERALLY NOT DRIVEN WHEN IT SNOWED AND ROADS SALTED, AND IN TEMPERATE MARYLAND THE ENTIRE TIME. THE REPAIR SHOP WILL BE CUTTING OUT AND WELDING IN A NEW FRAME MEMBER. PHOTOS OF THE RUSTED PART ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. I'VE ALSO ASKED THE BODY SHOP TO SAVE THE PART FOR INSPECTION.