NHTSA Complaint #10927529 — 2012 DODGE DART

YESTERDAY WE WERE PARKING OUR VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE SHIFTER GOT STUCK IN NEUTRAL. WE WERE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TODAY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THE CABLE CONNECTING THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME LOOSE AND THAT FROM A MANUFACTURING STANDPOINT THE CABLE WAS "TOO SHORT" AND LIKELY TO COME LOOSE AGAIN. THEY REATTACHED THE CABLE BUT RECOMMENDED THAT THE CABLE TO REPLACED WITH A LONGER CABLE THAT WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO COME LOOSE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE CABLE AND HAVE IT REINSTALLED WAS GOING TO BE JUST UNDER $800. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT DODGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNDER 4 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE BUT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. DODGE DENIED OUR REQUEST TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY AND TO PAY TO HAVE THE CABLE REPLACED. WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE (BECAUSE IT COULD'VE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING) AND THEY SAID TO CONTACT DOT AND TO RECOMMEND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PART. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.