NHTSA Complaint #10845716 — 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

WHILE DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD AT NIGHT, SHORTLY AFTER TURNING RIGHT AND DISABLING WINDSHEILD WIPERS: THE HEADLIGHTS AND ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. PULLING BACK ON THE BLINKER LEVER AND HOLDING IT BACK ACTIVATED THE BRIGHTS AND THOSE WORKED. AFTER TOGGLING HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HEADLIGHTS REACTIVATED. THIS FAILURE MODE DOESN'T EXACTLY MATCH EA11010, WHICH CLAIMS THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS IN OPERATION WHILE ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL. HOWEVER I AM UNCLEAR ON WHETHER MY VAN'S PROBLEM COULD STILL BE AT LEAST PARTLY CAUSED BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, SO I WILL REPLACE IT AT MY OWN COST. MY CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY IF THEY CAN REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, AND OTHERWISE THEY WILL CHARGE A $150 DIAGNOSTIC FEE... MORE THAN THE COST OF THE SWITCH! I'M NOT FALLING FOR THAT TRICK! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DECISION TO NOT RESOLVE EA11010 WITH A RECALL. HEADLIGHTS FAILING WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY TIME IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT IS TOO INTERMITTENT TO DIAGNOSE ON DEMAND. THUS A RECALL IS THE ONLY APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO ENSURE SAFETY. INSTEAD, IN ORDER TO PROACTIVELY PROTECT MY FAMILY, I AM FORCED TO SPEND MY OWN MONEY FOR REPLACEMENT. I THOUGHT THE NHTSA WAS HERE TO HELP?