NHTSA Complaint #747698 — 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE

MY WIFE PARKED OUR 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON 6-29-01 AFTER ARRIVING FROM A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORES WITH MY TWO KIDS AND MOTHER-IN-LAW. MY WIFE STOPPED THE CAR ABOUT 1-2 FT IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE DOOR, PLACED THE CAR IN "PARK" AND REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR THEN ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CATAPULTED THEM THROUGH OUR GARAGE DOOR AND INTO OUR OTHER PARKED CAR WHICH WAS INSIDE OUR ONE-CAR GARAGE. MY WIFE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS EARLIER ABOUT THE JEEP SURGING FORWARD AFTER IT BEING PLACED IN "PARK" AND THE FOOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE. I SHRUGGED IT OFF BELIEVING THAT MAYBE MY WIFE HAD HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR IN "DRIVE". I SHOULD HAVE BELIEVED HER THEN BECAUSE AFTER THIS ACCIDENT I'M CONVINCED IT WASN'T MY WIFE'S FAULT. THE JEEP IS NOT SAFE! MY WIFE IS A MATURE, RESPONSIBLE AND HEALTY 38 YEAR OLD DENTIST WHO HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DURING HER 20+ YEARS OF DRIVING. PLEASE TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS COMPLAINT SINCE THE DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND ONLY WANTS TO FIX IT AND GIVE IT BACK TO US. WE DO NOT WANT THE CAR BACK, EVEN AFTER ALLSTATE PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS NOR DO WE THINK THE DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL THE CAR TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING BUYER. PLEASE ADVICE. THANK YOU.*AK