NHTSA Complaint #10893106 — 2005 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

DURING A MECHANICAL EVALUATION FOR A CLUNKING NOISE AND POSSIBLE WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END, THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED ON A LIFT FOR INSPECTION. THE ENGINE SUB-FRAME WAS FOUND TO BE BADLY RUSTED WITH HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH THE METAL. THE CLUNKING NOISE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE THE ROTTING SUB-FRAME FLEXING WHILE STEERING AND ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. THE MECHANIC DECLINED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS AND I WAS ADVISED TO PARK THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SUB-FRAME COULD BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED TO CALL CHRYSLER SINCE A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON A PORTION OF THESE VEHICLES. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, WAS PURCHASED IN WESTERN PA AND OPERATED IN THE "SALT BELT". WE'VE ENJOYED OWNING THIS CAR AND MY WIFE WANTED TO RETIRE THE CAR TO OUR HOME IN FLORIDA. SHE HAD JUST DRIVEN THE CAR FROM INDIANA TO FLORIDA ON THE INTERSTATE TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO DISCOVERING THIS SUB-FRAME PROBLEM...THE THOUGHT OF THAT MAKES ME CRINGE. THROUGH NO NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART, I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND THE COST OF REPAIR WILL LIKELY EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE..