NHTSA Complaint #10876911 — 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH IN DAYLIGHT ON A DRY PAVED COUNTRY ROAD, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SHUDDERED LIKE I RAN OVER SOMETHING, AND WAS THROWN VIOLENTLY INTO THE OTHER LANE, THEN ALMOST OFF THE ROAD INTO THE TREES. ON EXAMINATION, I FOUND THE CAR'S FRAME HAD FAILED AND RIPPED AWAY WHERE THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS ON THE FRAME THAT CAME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE REAL AXLE TO SHIFT BACKWARDS SEVERAL INCHES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND I EXPECT RUST BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF THE DISINTEGRATION OF SEVERAL INCHES OF FRAME. THE SHEET METAL USED FOR THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE THIN, PERHAPS 20 GAUGE STEEL. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION, AND IS DRIVEN DAILY BY MY WIFE. I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER (GOLDSTEIN CHRYSLER, LATHAM NEW YORK) AND TO THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. NEITHER OFFERED ANY HISTORY ON SUCH A PROBLEM. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE SUCH A FAILURE, AS THIS IS A COMMON VEHICLE. I WILL TAKE PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT WHAT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME LOOKS LIKE. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GET THEM TO YOU. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.