NHTSA Complaint #11193120 — 2009 HONDA CR-V

WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 55-60 MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM THE UNIBODY CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO TWIST SIDEWAYS AND LODGE IN THE WHEEL WELL. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE PULLED FREE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DUE TO DETACHMENT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT USED BOTH LANES AND THE VEHICLE WIDTH SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO DUE SO. HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE BEEN CLOSE BY AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED. THE CRV HAD BEEN NYS INSPECTED 2 MONTHS PRIOR WITH NO SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING PROBLEM. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED SHOWING THE DETACHED DRIVER SIDE AND ALSO THE INTACT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER TAKING PICS SHOWING AN INTACT MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A HAMMER WAS USED TO CHECK THE STRUCTURE AND IT WAS POSSIBLE TO OPEN UP A HOLE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN NY DURING THE WINTER, THUS ROAD SALT WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE ONLY PART OF THE CRV AFFECTED BY RUST WAS THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS DUE TO AN AREA WHERE MOISTURE AND SALT CAN ENTER, BUT NOT ESCAPE. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND EXTERIOR BODY WERE RUST FREE. HONDA WAS CONTACTED, BUT UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY ACTION DUE TO AGE AND MILES ON VEHICLE. THE CASE# AND LAST CORRESPONDENCE WITH HONDA IS INCLUDED--NO RESPONSE FROM HONDA.