NHTSA Complaint #10908363 — 2006 DODGE DURANGO

I WAS DRIVING DURING A RAINSTORM AND MY 2006 DODGE DURANGO STARTED SPUTTERING AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER MY CAR WAS TOWED & LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT WATER WAS RUNNING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD & DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE AIR INTAKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 THROUGH 2006 MODELS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE. I SPOKE WITH DODGE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND I COULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT UPDATED COWL PART # 55362453AK THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO DIVERT THE WATER AWAY FROM THE INTAKE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT NO BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PUBLIC. IN MY OPINION A VEHICLE THAT STALLS BECAUSE OF THE RAIN IS AN ISSUE. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A 100000 MILES DUE TO THE WEATHER STRIPPING FAILING. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINES CAN BECOME WATERLOGGED AND THE ENGINE CAN BLOW A ROD THROUGH THE MOTOR WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE RAIN. ANY RESEARCH INTO THE SECOND GENERATION DODGE DURANGOS SHOULD PRODUCE MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE A LIFE BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLE STALLED.