NHTSA Complaint #710944 — 1999 DODGE DAKOTA

TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR STANDARD - ON THE ROAD - USE. AT NO TIME PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE WAS IT REPORTED THAT, AS EQUIPPED, THE OWNERS MANUAL PROHIBITED THE USE OF TIRE CHAINS OR TRACTION DEVICES ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS SEVERLY RESTRICTS USE OF THE VEHICLE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT WHO REFUSED TO HEAR THE CASE AS IT WAS NOT "BROKEN". RATHER THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS LIMITED BY DESIGN. THE INABILITY TO USE TIRE CHAINS OR TRACTION DEVICES REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN USED ON THE ROADS DURING WINTER MONTHS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION AND THE DEALER OF PURCHASE POINT FINGERS TO EACH OTHER, ADVISING THAT EACH IS A FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS WITH THE OTHER PARTY. REPEATED CALLS TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION AND THE DEALER OF PURCHASE HAVE FAILED TO DISCOVER THE REASON FOR THE RESTRICTION. CONSEQUENTLY, I MUST ASSUME THAT TIRE CHAIN USE WOULD REPRESENT AN OPERATIONAL RISK.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/65/15 )