NHTSA Complaint #10870525 — 2009 JEEP COMPASS 4X4

2008 JEEP LIMITED 4 X 4. WHEN CLEANING THE GARAGE, I NOTICED THE HEAD FROM A VERY LARGE BOLT ON THE FLOOR. UPON CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR, I NOTICED THAT A BOLT HAD ROTTED OFF WHERE THE REAR FRAME RIGHT SIDE BY THE SHOCK TOWER ATTACHES TO THE BODY. I HAVE HAD NOISES COMING FROM THE AREA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH THIS BOLT MISSING THERE IS SOME CHANCE THERE IS EXCESS BOUNCE BETWEEN THE UPPER SHOCK TOWER AND THE FRAME. MY LOCAL BODY SHOP TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS WOULD BE TO DROP THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE AND GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT TO REPLACE. VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE IS NO WAY A BOLT LIKE THIS SHOULD ROT OFF, UNLESS THE BOLTS WERE BAD TO START WITH. IF THIS HAPPENS TO A FEW MORE I COULD HIT A BUMP AND HAVE THE BODY FALL OFF THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING.