NHTSA Complaint #770629 — 1996 DODGE CARAVAN

CALLED NHTSA VIA 888 LINE TO CHECK ON A RECALL OF AN AIR BAG SWITCH TRANSFERRED TO "ROWLAND". HE TOOK THE MAKE AND MODEL INFO AND SAID THERE WAS A "RECALL" BUT THAT NHTSA DID NOT HAVE THE VIN #S EFFECTED. HE GAVE ME THE RECALL NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER 800-853-1403. "BEVERLY" ASKED DEMOGRAPHIC INFO AND AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS SHE FINALLY DID GIVE SOME INFO. SHE SAYS THERE IS "NO OFFICIAL" REQUEST BUT THAT CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION (SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ANY EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION). I WAS GIVEN A CASE # 10626557. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH "SOMEONE" WHO COULD ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT A TIMELINE. I WAS ON HOLD FOR APPROX. 5 MINUTES AND "SHARON CRENSHAW" (SUPERVISOR) CAME ON THE LINE AND REPEATED THAT NO TIMELINE IS AVAILABLE. I THANKED HER BUT TOLD HER THAT NHTSA TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. SHARON SAID THAT CARS THAT ARE INCLUDED WILL RECEIVE A NOTICE VIA THE MAIL. I COULD CHOOSE TO TAKE MY "CHANCES" AND GO TO A DEALER AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE SWITCH AND REPAIR IF NEEDED. THEN I COULD SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR "POSSIBLE" REIMBURSEMENT. I ASKED IF THE DEALER COULD COMPARE THE PROBLEM TO THE NHTSA DESCRIPTION OF THE SWITCH AND TELL ME IF IT IS THE SAME. SHARON SAID THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION. I TOLD HER THAT WHAT I HAVE IS PUBLIC INFORMATION FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE. SHARON HAD NOTHING FURTHER TO OFFER. DT