NHTSA Complaint #11397198 — 2010 DODGE CHALLENGER

PROBLEM: FUEL FUMES IN THE CABIN OF MY 2010 CHALLENGER STATIONARY AND IN MOTION (CITY AND HIGHWAY). THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT IN DODGE CHALLENGERS, CHARGERS AND THE CHRYSLER 300. INTERNET SEARCHES REGARDING FUEL FUMES IN THE CABIN REVEALED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING FUEL PUMP O-RING LEAKS. THERE ARE U-TUBE VIDEOS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOME MECHANIC. HOWEVER, IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT AN OWNER PERFORM THIS REPAIR DUE TO THE EXPOSURE TO GASOLINE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. MY CHALLENGER IS A LIMITED EDITION MOPAR10 WITH METICULOUS MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. IT HAD ONLY 60,958 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/28/21. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP O-RINGS AT A COST OF $396.00 ($96 IN PARTS AND $300 IN LABOR). I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM IN ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED, NEW OR USED, SINCE 1978. THE EXPOSURE TO GASOLINE FUMES IS A WELL KNOWN HEALTH HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN A CLOSED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS A VEHICLE CABIN. FOR THE CAR WITH ONLY 60K MILES WITH METICULOUS MAINTENANCE BEING PERFORMED BY ONE DEALERSHIP AND A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER REPAIR RECORDS ON THIS ISSUE. A $400 REPAIR IS 25% PARTS AND 75% LABOR. I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THAT A RECALL HAS BE ISSUED. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY DODGE DEALER HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL REGARDING CUSTOMER CARE. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT FREE OF COST BECAUSE NO RECALL EXISTS ON THIS ISSUE. MY DEALERSHIP IS JIM CLICK DODGE IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. THE REPAIR INVOICE NUMBER IS DDCS759163. YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO USE MY PERSONAL DATA ON THIS INVOICE TO CREATE A RECALL. THANK-YOU, RANDY STURGEON, RETIRED FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT.