NHTSA Complaint #709988 — 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE

I WAS ON VACATION IN WV. WHEN I SLOWED TO TURN A CORNER I FELT A THUMP UNDER THE CAR AND THE CAR LURCHED TO THE RIGHT. STEERING FELT AS IF THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE. HAD TO PULL HARD RIGHT TO STRAIGHTEN CAR THEN LOST STEERING CONTROL ALTOGETHER. I OBSERVED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL SEEMED TO BE SLIDING OUTWARD WHILE THE RIGHT WHEEL REMAINED VERTICAL.. AT MECHANIC'S THE FOLLOWING DAY WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAD FALLEN THROUGH IT. THE STEEL OF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED IN LAYERS - PAPER THIN LAYERS WITH HEAVY CORROSION ON ALL EDGES. I AM APALLED! I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER YET AND THE FRAME RUSTS THROUGH? VERY SCARY.