NHTSA Complaint #10823296 — 2008 JEEP COMPASS

I TOOK MY JEEP COMPASS IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME (CROSS MEMBER AND CONTROL ARM) WHICH SECURED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME TO TAKE A LOOK. THE HOLE WAS SO LARGE I COULD PUT MY HAND IN IT AND THE CRACK RAN ALONG THE ENTIRE CROSSMEMBER. HE CAUTIONED ME TO NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED, SAYING THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COULD FALL OUT AT ANY TIME AND COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT. ALSO NOTED WAS PLAY IN THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD AND RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST TURNED THE 100K MILE MARK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. IF I HAD NOT TAKE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THIS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN DISCOVERED RESULTING IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. CALLS TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN THE COST OF PARTS (2007 COMPASS WAS RECALLED FOR SAME ISSUE). MY BILL IS STILL OVER $1,000 AND WOULD LIKE CHRYSLER TO COVER THE COST OF LABOR AND PARTS. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS USED WERE FROM THE 2007 RECALL. THIS IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A VEHICLE 7.5 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEY SHOULD ISSUE A DISCLAIMER OR SAFETY WARNING WHEN SELLING JEEPS IN AREAS THAT HAVE SNOW AND SALT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR MONTHS, IF NOT LONGER, IN A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE.THE JEEP COMPASS 2007 WAS RECALLED AND CHRYSLER PACIFICA FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY, NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS HAVE WARRANTED A 2008 RECALL.