NHTSA Complaint #11010852 — 2012 DODGE DURANGO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SEAT BELT AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITION AND RADIO FAILED TO FUNCTION, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTIONED SLOWLY. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, BUT IT FAILED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND TWO OFFICERS ASSISTED IN PUSHING THE VEHICLE OFF THE RAMP INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR HOURS THEN HAD THE VEHICLE JUMPSTARTED; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PARKING LOT OF SAM'S CLUB (1025 E BLACK HORSE PIKE, PLEASANTVILLE, NJ 08232). TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MOTOR WORLD DEALER LOCATED IN WILKES BARRE, PA 18702 AND WAS INFORMED THAT FIAT CHRYSLER WAS INITIATING A RECALL ON FAULTY ALTERNATORS. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND, IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN IF THE VIN WERE AFFECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.