NHTSA Complaint #708678 — 1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE

OIL PAN DESIGN DEFECT CAUSED INITIAL REPORT ..SEE ODI 701385..REPORTED NOV 1998 WHEN OIL PAN WORE THRU AND DEVELOPED SLOW OIL LEAK AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FAILED RESULTING IN ENGINE SEIZINGNECESITATING REBUILD AT APRX $3700.. AT 5114 MILES LATER(52900) WHILE ON HOIST, OWNER CHECKED PAN AND FOUND THAT THE PAN HAS AGAIN WORN ALMOST THROUGH FROM ROAD ABRASIONS DURING JUST NORMAL OPERATION WITH OCCASIONAL DRAGGING ON SPEED BUMBS ,DRIVEWAY INCLINES ,ROAD GUTTERS ON DRIVE IN ETC. IF CONTINUES TO WEAR AT CURRENT RATE EXPECT FAILURE ON THE NEW REPLACEMENT PAN IN 2500-5000 MILES.THIS PAN AREA IMMEDIATELY BELOW OIL DRAIN PLUG IS TOTALLY UNPROTECTED AND IS 1ST AREA OF IMPACT WHEN CAR DIPS FOR ANY REASON ENOUGH TO MAKE CONTACT WITH ROAD. IT ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT NORTHGLENN DODGE WHEN SHOWED TO HIM ON HOIST AND ASK..IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BREEZE AND SEEN ALOT. I INTEND TO PURSUE PROBLEM DIRECTLY WITH PLYMOUTH FACTORY. AIRBAGS FAILED @ 35MPH IN ACCIDENT WHEN BREEZE REARENDED A 1964 CHEV CARRALL FOLDI*AK