NHTSA Complaint #10927170 — 2005 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

WHEN I TOOK OUR 2005 PACIFICA IN FOR ITS ANNUAL VA STATE INSPECTION ON NOVEMBER 1, 2016 IT DID NOT PASS. THE PRIMARY CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS THE DISCOVERY OF SUBSTANTIAL RUSTING OF THE "SUB K FRAME." IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE FRAME. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THE ENGINE COULD FALL AND DROP OUT OF ITS CRADLE! THE RUSTING WAS NOT VISIBLE 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE CAR WAS LAST HOISTED IN THE AIR FOR AN OIL CHANGE, SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IT RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE MECHANICS STATED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH RUSTING, AND THEY WERE SURPRISED TO SEE IT ON A CAR THAT WAS OTHERWISE WELL MAINTAINED AND IN SUCH GOOD CONDITION FOR A CAR WITH ALMOST 175,000 MILES. I LIVE IN THE NORTHERN NECK AREA OF VA WHICH IS NOT AN AREA OF SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL OR AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A HEAVY APPLICATION OF SALT ON THE ROADS DURING THE WINTER. I HAVE 2 OTHER CARS - A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 CREW CAB AND A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, NEITHER OF WHICH DEMONSTRATE ANY SIGNS OF RUSTING OF THE FRAME.