
Nicole of Hampden, MA on April 26, 2000
I bought a 1998 Durango last June 1999, 10 months ago, with 30,000 miles on it, at Hampden Dodge in Springfield MA. On Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000, I was driving home from visiting my brother in the hospital on interstate 91 and the car blew-up. It sounded like a muffler, but 3 times louder had exploded under my feetand there was smoke everywhere, while I was driving 60 miles per hour. I pulled the car over and then had to have it towed to the dealership the following Monday.
Michael Lavalley, from Hampden Dodge's service department reported that the car's transfer cylinder had blown up and went into the main tran and blew that up too. I asked why this would have happened, since I had just had the car serviced and do every 3,000 miles and the car is only 2 years old. He reported that he had no idea why and it would cost $2056 to repair it. He also told me to call Chrysler directly to see if they would help me, especially because it was a freak accident!
I then called Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997 and talked with a Brian. Brain reported that it was a very bizzare accident and we both agreed that the parts must have been made wrong, for them to explode and break apart. Brain reported that since I had 50,000 miles on the car, Chrysler would only make me pay $750 for the repair. Again I tried to explain that the car was clearly built with the defect, but Brain said that was all Chrysler was willing to do and I was lucky that they would even help me out.
My car cost me $28,000 dollars less then 10 months ago and I have not been able to work this week, without my car. I am an out-reach therapist, which means I drive to different people's homes to see them, every hour, during my work day. I also am now getting stuck with another bill of $750 for this car to work this month, along with the %532 dollar monthly payment. This car is clearly a lemon. The back brakes were also recalled because they can burn up. I do not feel that this car is safe for me to drive daily, all day for work. Most of the areas that I have to travel in are not very safe and I need to know that my car can drive.