NHTSA Complaint #11387059 — 2016 JEEP PATRIOT

THE UNSEALED MAIN RELAY BOX IS POSITIONED DIRECTLY BELOW THE LEAD-ACID BATTERY WHICH LEAKS DIRECTLY ONTO THE COVER, ENTERS THE RELAY BOX AND DESTROYS THE LEG AND WIRING CONNECTED TO THE AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN RELAY. THIS CAN OCCUR BOTH AS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING OR CAUSE A NO-CRANK/NO-START SITUATION, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. IN OUR CASE, THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN A PARKING LOT BUT THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MYRIAD YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON THE ISSUE FOR MANY JEEP AND FCA VEHICLES. THIS IS ENOUGH OF A KNOWN ISSUE THAT FCA HAS NOT ADDRESSED FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND WE JUST PAID $460.00 FOR THE DEALER TO MOVE THE AFFECTED RELAY FROM THE BOX TO A LESS VULNERABLE LOCATION. IT OCCURRED A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE WIRING FAILED COMPLETELY, AND IN OUR CASE WAS IN A STATIONARY CONDITION EACH TIME FORTUNATELY.