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Dodge Avenger - Safety Problems

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Raul of Kalamazoo, MI July 18, 2009

Dodge Avenger - Safety Problems My complaint has to do with my 1998 Dodge Avenger. I was in a fast food drive thru and I reached for my wallet. To do this you have to raise your rear off the seat which means you have to lean back against the seat. When I leaned back the back of the seat broke. The back of the seat does not stay upright now. I think it sucks that i have to buy a new seat. Whay can't we make Chrysler pay for my seat? I have seen cars from the 80's that are so much sturdy than my car, which is a 1998.

Joseph of Jupiter, FL July 16, 2009

This letter is written in response to your letter dated May 19, 2009. In that letter a statement is made that upon inspection of my vehicle, there was no finding of any manufacturing defect that caused or contributed to the incident of 5/10/2009. The incident referred to was an instantaneous fire which engulfed the engine compartment of my vehicle. The only warning of any malfunction at the time was a flashing of dashboard warning lights, immediately followed by smoke coming from the air conditioning vents. The car was stopped immediately and when the hood was lifted, the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The time span between the lights flashing and the discovery of the fire was within 30 to 45 seconds. This is a 2008 vehicle with 26,500 miles and clearly within the warranty period (3yrs/36,000 miles).

Prior to this event there were no mechanical issues nor potential warning signs that would have necessitated the vehicle being serviced. The vehicle was maintained on a regular basis with the last oil and air filter change within a month of the fire. The fire, which as evidenced by the attached photograph completely destroyed the engine compartment of the vehicle, came without any warning signals. Given the melted mess that remains of that engine compartment, I am compelled to question exactly what the inspector found that would have led to his/her conclusions. I ask that a copy of the inspection report be provided to me for review.

On 10/10/2007, Chrysler issued a recall because ON CERTAIN 2008 DODGE AVENGERS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR. The consequence of this defect is listed as: THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. The potential amount of vehicles affected by the recall was 102042. Given this recall, of which I never received any notice, Chrysler did have notice that such a condition did exist on at least 17 other vehicles which also caught fire. I ask that you provide me with the inspection reports from those vehicles so as to compare why the case in point does not merit any further consideration by your company.

Incidently, some time around the time that this recall came out, my vehicle was serviced at Jupiter Dodge for another recall issue. The recall(#07V104000) had to do with the front door latch sticking in the open position. This defect was discovered by my son while traveling with a friend who luckily was wearing a seat belt when the door flew open. As you are well aware based upon the recalls, both of these instances could have resulted in tragedy. This Avenger was my first Dodge purchase. Despite the initial issue with the door latch, my satisfaction with the appearance and performance of the vehicle prompted me to return to Jupiter Dodge to purchase a 2008 Charger. The manner in which this matter is resolved definitely will affect my decision to maintain loyal to Chrysler.

I respectfully request that you revisit your decision to terminate any further consideration of my claim. As a proven Chrysler/Dodge purchaser, I would like nothing better than to replace this vehicle with another Dodge product. Given the factors set forth in this letter, I am requesting that Chrysler stand behind its vehicle which was within the warranty period and provide a replacement of equal or greater value. In the alternative, I request that you provide me with the inspection reports that I mentioned above in the event this matter must be referred to an attorney.

Following this letter I have tried on numerous occasions to contact Chrysler in an attempt to better understand their decision to ignore this matter. At a time when Chrysler should be doing all that it can to restore the confidence of the American consumer, it has staffed its call center with employees who are indifferent and non-caring. These employees, like robots, ask the same questions on every call, systematically place the caller on hold, and provide few, if any, answers to concerns and questions that are raised. When the caller realizes that his call for help has fallen on “deaf ears”, only when demands are made can that caller be transferred to or provided the number of the “Customer Claims Resolution Group”.

One only has to reach this point in the Chrysler claim process to realize that the company as a whole doesn’t care about the consumer. The phone in the Customer Claims Resolution Group is always answered by a machine which states “There is no one available to receive your call at this time. Please provide the following information and you will receive a return call as soon as a representative is available.” The information requested is the same exact information that was provided to the call center staff. I went through this process several times and have yet to receive a call back. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this process is that after several messages being left that have gone unanswered, the following message now follows “o one is available...”: “The mailbox you requested is full. Please call back at a later date.”

DeAnna of Fort Worth, TX July 10, 2009

Well I bought a 2008 Dodge Avenger in March 2008 with 20000 miles. I guess around October to now I start having problems with this vehicle. My car has been in and out the repair shop at least 6 times since I bought it. The last major repairs consisted of the engine light coming on, car ran hot one day on my way home from work I had to pull over at a gas station to have a tow truck to come pull and take back to Meador Chrysler, water pump was replaced, drive shaft stuck and now it has a crack head gasket that is going to cost 3445.00 This car now has 46000 miles. The contract warranty cover 36000/3 years. I have put 26000 miles on this car..

The advisor mark as been rude an unwilling to work with me on getting my 2008 Dodge Avenger repaired. You would think as much as my car as been in and out the shop that Meador Chrysler Jeep would take some responsibility. I contacted Motor Chrysler in getting my car repaired and then they contacted Mark/Meador Chrysler that said that my contract warranty was over and this was a preexisting condition. When my car ran hot back in December 2008 and my water holes was replaced, temp gauge ,the head gasket should have been reviewed on the diagnostic as well

Beverly of Rock Hill, SC May 13, 2009

I Purchased a 2008 Dodge Avenger in June of 2008 and has had it back for repairs 7 times. This car is leaking water inside the car. When there is a heavy rain my floor boards are wet. There has been a short in the dash because both the radio had to be rplaced and the air stop working. The windshield has been replaced twice to cure the leaks, but it is still leaking.

The car has stopped running and key code had to be changed. I have looked at the floors in this car and the water has rusted the bolts holding the seats in place. I hate to think what damage is done to the floors under the carpet. This car will not stop leaking and I need somthing done about this car. I have not had it a year yet.

Basim of Anaheim, CA April 7, 2009

on april 2008 we bought dodge avenger 2008 it has a lot electical and technical problems,and still does the car is not save to drive , every car or van we bought from them has a big problems and they don't care about the safty of the family they drive it, we did complain to chrysler but they said nothing wrong with car they tested and drive it for just few minutes they not drive it everyday to see what is really going on , they gave us greif on it and just to let u know , they we had a grand caravan from the same dealer with the same problems and they exchanged for us after we threatened them to go to lawer , but this time they don,t care about the safty of my family and they said nothong wrong with car , the car still new and we have all the paper that show how many time we took it to the service and what done on that car. so please we want to be out of the car before something happened to my family.

Seyon of Toronto, ON March 23, 2009

We purchased a 2008 Dodge Avenger. Car was $13,900. We put $3000 as down and financed on 6yr term. The Financial guy (Ed) was handling our financings. When we signed all the paperwork before picking up the vehicle, he said this is for the "walkaway insurance". i asked him if we are paying for it, becuase i don't want that insurance. He said "no no it's all included". So we signed off the documents and left with the car. Coming home, i noticed a charge of $799.00 for walkaway insurance. I immediately went back to the dealership and asked Ed about it - he said - it's charged by the bank that financed us. Apparently the bank look at your credit history and your type of job (bar Manager) and charge that amount. I have a funny feeling that Mr. Ed is charging us this and he probably gets a commission for "selling" walkaway insurance - which he actually did not sell! What do you think? You may email me your thoughts on this. Thanks.

Fred of Oviedo, FL January 13, 2009

Fred of Oviedo FL (01/13/09)
On the dodge webiste, they list a financial incentive (2000 cash allowance) for purchase of a 2009 Dodge Avenger for my zip code (32765). I saw this on 1/11, 1/12, and 1/13. I just purchased this vehicle at Bob Dance, Florida on 1/12 and they only provided a 1500 rebate credit. They claim the website is incorrect and in error. I called the Dodge help number and after they did research they also say the website is wrong and that it should be 1500. Well, the website, 3 days later still says 2000 cash allowance. I believe this is a deceptive advertisement or that they should be accountable and honor their website information. This website is used in Florida and possible in other parts of the country.

I was shorted 500 on a rebate cash allowance that Dodge was promoting on their own website.

Helen of Brooklyn, NY November 5, 2007

I purchased a car at the dealer 6/30/07 three months after purchasing the car the A/C stoped working. I took the car to be serviced, Dodge is now telling me that the car had been in and accident where the compresor was damaged, clotch from compressor is missing, and the car had a paint job done. Now I am the only person who drives my car, and that have never took place with my can. A Dodgo is refusing to have it fixed. They said the warrent do not cover such thing.

Brooklyn Dodge is accusing me of something that did not happen with me. My conclushion is that car has defects on it and they must stand liable to it, and not have me pay for repairs on a new Dodge Avenger 08. How on earth can I get parts for a car that don't have parts on the market, if the car have been in an accident as they claim.

Jamie of Auburn, NY November 1, 2007

2008 Dodge Avenger that I have owned now for 6 months: Beginning of fall - tree parts (IE: small twigs, leaves, and helicopters) were on the car for 1 1.5 days over the weekend when I did not drive the car. The day I went to get in I was brushing off the leaves/helicopters when I noticed on the paint circular marks where the helicopters were with streaking.

I took my car to a car wash to have this removed when the guy drying my car asked if something was wrong with the paint and showed me where in the clear coat was a permanent streaking... this is all over the car (hood, roof, trunk). Very hard to describe but the car is essentially stained and looks horrible. I was advised the streaking and marks are in the clear coat and are unremovable.

 I took my car to my local dealership and had pictures taken and submitted to Chyrsler who later that day informed me the claim was refused due to external factors.

Jennifer of West Henrietta, NY August 5, 2006

I purchased a Dodge Avenger in 2001 and within the last year, the entire clear coat on the roof,hood,trunk of car has burned off, leaving patches of white primer all over the car. I refuse to have the entire car repainted because the paint job on the car is suppose to last a while, at least more than 5 years. When it is time for a new vehicle,I will never buy a crysler product again.

Melissa of Houston, TX June 13, 2005

I bought a Dodge Avenger V6 ES in 2001, it was a 1995, bought it from the dealer. The car was "certified" and I bought an extended warranty for it. In 2002 the transmission blew out and in 2003 the engine gave. Now I maintence it regularly and have had wheel problems, alignment problems and worst it caught on fire last week which is now a total loss. I was trapped in my car because the electrical went out and I had to break my way out as my dash melted and the entire interior is gone. I will never trust DOdge again. Luckily I had just dropped off my 4 year ols at school so she was not with me. We would have probably died because I would have panicked.

Crystal of Springfield, MO May 5, 2004

My Dodge Avenger has had MANY problems. I discovered that there was a bolt sheared off in the frame. At first I thought the previous owner had been in a wreck or something. Then I read all the complaints from other Dodge owners about bolts mysteriously shearing off. Another problem I've had is the door handles.My driver's side door handle broke off. After I got a new handle put on, the locking mechanism broke off inside the door. A few months later, the passenger side door handle broke off. Now I have to unlock the doors on the passenger side, then walk to the driver's side to get in, and lean over to open the passenger door if someone is riding with me. Now my transmission is completely blown and my car only has 106,000 miles. There shouldn't be serious transmission problems yet at that mileage. Now I have to fork out $2000 to get everything with the transmission repaired. I will never own another Dodge as long as I live.

Stacy of Hudson, WI December 28, 2003

purchased used dodge avenger 3 mo. ago, 120k mi, but ran good. had to take a loan to buy ths car (3 yrs of car pmts ahead) after 1 month, had to replace starter, only about $400.00 so i can live with that. during 3rd month, absolutely no warning, transmission completely malfunctioned due to a design fault, i was stuck on the hwy in subzero temps all alone. mechanic said something about differential blew out/spun through all dears and through the tranny pan. apparently, this happens to these trannys w/o warning. i was thrilled about this car when i bought it, it was extremely well maintained since new (including tranny maint)i have owned many much older junkers w/ many more miles on them, and have never had a transmission blow out on me. repair would be over $2000.00, i am a single mom, just making ends meet so putting that $$ into it will be unlikely. however, i now have to make car pmts for 3 years and have no car. at first, i thought i would never again buy a car that wasnt mopar,(the avenger was my first chrysler/dodge) now i know that the opposite is true.

Kathy of Rochester Hills, MI April 30, 2003

Our 97 dodge avenger blew a headgasket with under 50,000 miles but out of warranty. It cost almost $900 to fix. Chrysler would not cover it. We also had a dodge 600 and chrysler lebaron blow headgaskets multiple times sometime in warranty sometimes out. We no longer get discounts on Chryslers and will no longer buy their sedan. Beware of the headgaskets.

Deirdre of Richton Park, IL March 1, 2003

I purchased a 99 dodge avenger at South Oak Dodge. In February I notice that the rims were bent. I expressed this to the Sales Representative Don. Don never said anything about having them replace the rims. On March 1, 2003, I went out to my vehicle and the tire was flat. I went to Sparks around the corner and they put the spare tire on and they also told me that the brakes were bad. I took the vehicle back to Dodge and spoke with the Sales Manager, John Ferguson, He stated that they had the car in their inventory for 30 days and the tire never went flat and they didn't notice the bent rims. He also stated that he didn't know anything about the brakes being bad. I pulled up a car fax and the car was in their inventory on 1/22/03. I bought the vehicle on 1/29/03 at 7pm. Well, to make it simple John is refusing to replace the bent rims on the vehicle that they sold. but, he told me to bring my vehicle back on monday so that they can look at the brakes. He also stated that they would have never put the vehicle on the market with bent rims. So one of use are lying about the bent rims and brakes. In fact; they knew the rims were bent and I seriously, believe that they never done an inspection on the vehicle before it was placed on the market.

Cindy of Mansfield, TX January 2, 2003

Recently my 18 year old daughter was driving our Dodge Avenger 1995. She was pulling forward out of a parking spot at school when the accelorator cable broke and the car sped forward as fast as it could. Luckily she had good driving skills and was able to turn quickly to avoid a building, but hit the curb damaging the wheel. She then pulled the emergency brake and turned off the engine. This could have been much worse if she had been trafic when it broke. We were also involved in the ball joint recall, ours broke 2 yrs before the recall.I saved our records so they did refund us.

Wiliam of Anderson, IN November 6, 2002

My 1996 Dodge Avenger had a component in the transmission come loose and exit the bottom of the transmission casting making the vehicle completely inoperable. The poblems documented with te A604 (41TE) are well known. This defect poses a safety hazard and the vehicles should be recalled.

Kathy of West Bend, WI October 2, 2002

I bought a 95 Dodge Avenger in 10/97. In 7/00 my transmission developed a hole in it due to faulty casing. Was replaced with a used one. Now, it 10/02 and my second transmission has also developed a hole. I have also experienced having to replace all hub assemblies, brakes, o2 sensors. I have a constant shudder in my front end. My abs are out since almost after I have bought the car, and a constant ticking in my front end.

Anita of South Whitley, IN September 5, 2002

my 95' dodge avenger has a defect in paint.the clear coat is turning my black car to white.it started doing this 2 years ago.i have 90,000 miles on car is there a warranty to cover this? GM has a 100,000mile warranty on there cars.

Dorothty of Mahwah, NJ July 23, 2002

I called Chrysler Corp. notifying them of a problem with the headlights in my car, the headlights have a coating over them , almost like hard water deposits, this poses a potential driving hazard to me and others on the road, when I'm driving at night I drive with my high beams on, and it is very hard for me to see, the other cars coming my way don't even warn me that my high beams are on, when you are standing outside of the car at night it looks as if you have your low beams on, and it reall y doesn't look like low beams, it looks as if my battery is dying. This is a potential hazard and it needs to be corrected, and hopefully you will be able to help me and others who are driving around with this hazard. I also need to tell you that my daughter had a Dodge Avenger (1995) with the same problem , and my son inlaw who works for Dodge tells me he see this all the time.

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