2009 Dodge Caliber body problems

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● Component failed: Front and Rear Subframe. ● Safety at risk: Rotting Subframe. The front subframe had a recall which expired a couple years ago, which I was never notified about. I have replaced this part because it could have fallen out of my car due to the rotting. Now, the rear subframe is now rotting and unstable/unfit to drive. I have 88,000 miles on it and keep in the garage when possible. ● The vehicle and component has been inspected by the manufactorer as well as Monro Auto Service, Jiffy Lube and L&M Motors in Upstate New york regularly. ● No.

NHTSA complaint #11497535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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It started as a popping noise while driving which evolved into a louder sound and I was able to feel it click with my feet as I was driving, and I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was causing the issue at first. After going to a mechanics and having them look at it the subframe of the car was absolutely covered in rust to the point where it was falling apart and I could see inside. The air conditioning unit was badly designed, and the residual water from that caused the entire thing to rust. They advised that it was only going to get worse and could lead to the front axle essentially just falling out and totaling the car anyways. I drive everyday to and from work so having this issue is severely affecting my daily life and quite possibly my safety if anything happens while driving it.

NHTSA complaint #11484985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The vehicle had previously had the front subframe replaced under an unknown TSB. The contact stated that upon inspection, her son informed her that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 155,946.

NHTSA complaint #11457010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a state inspection, she was informed that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the corrosion had caused a significant hole to form on the rear subframe which could cause a severe failure while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 64,049.

NHTSA complaint #11440918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a corroded K-frame on the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in the 10-year extended warranty due to the manufacture on date. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11432473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE , ALMOST WRECKED

NHTSA complaint #11351497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION HIMSELF, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CROSSMEMBERS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KAYSER CHRYSLER DODGE (866 PHILLIPS BLVD, SAUK CITY, WI 53583) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSSMEMBERS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT EXTENDED THE FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DECLINED REPAIRS BASED ON THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #11242233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS MEMBERS WERE RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO DETACH. ADDITIONALLY, THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED WALLY ARMOR DODGE (1950 W STATE ST, ALLIANCE, OH 44601, (330) 823-3556) AND DAY STAR CHRYSLER (206 S CARROLLTON ST, MALVERN, OH 44644, (330) 863-1144) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA complaint #11218502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS ROTTED. I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE. ATTACHED IS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH STATES THIS SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO FIX THIS ISSUE WILL COST 1700 DOLLARS THATS THE PRICE I WAS QUOTED. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT AND ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES OR DEATH IF IT BREAKS WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU CANT HELP PLEASE HELP ME FIND THE HELP I NEED.

NHTSA complaint #11205462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RETAINED WATER AND WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD RETAINED WATER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOW THE ORIGIN OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 275,000. .*BF. CONSUMER STATED WHEN IT RAINS THE WATER SPLASHES FROM PLASTIC STIPPING INSIDE WHIT IT MEETS THE HEADLINER ON THE SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11184157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND ABOUT TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CENTER HOTLINE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #11092185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND STOPPING, GOT HOME THINKING THE STRUT WAS BROKEN AND FOUND THAT THE SUB-FRAME FOR ENGINE, SWAY BAR AND TIRE ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY ROTTED AND CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE READY TO BREAK IN TWO. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MILEAGE 91K.

NHTSA complaint #11083862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE UNUSUAL SOUNDS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DODGE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. TOLD THAT THE FRONT CROSS-MEMBER WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CUSTOMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CHRYSLER. WAS THEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER AUTHORIZED IT. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL RUST FOUND THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. INFORMED THAT THIS DECISION COULD BE EXPECTED IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS. WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER AND TRANSPORTATION WHILE THEY WAITED FOR A DECISION. STILL WAITING.

NHTSA complaint #11083448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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RUSTED THROUGH SUBFRAME

NHTSA complaint #11023928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SUBFRAME ROTTEN/RUSTY!!!! I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND MY CAR START MAKING WEIRD CRANKING NOISE AND IT'S PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT. EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE WHEEL STRAIGHT IT'S CLEARLY SHOWING IT HALFWAY TO THE RIGHT. IT'S DRAGGING THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRES AND IT'S HARD TO CONTROL. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY I CAN MAKE IT HOME WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHERS. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT UNDERNEATH THE SUBFRAME IS ALL ROTTEN/RUSTY AND FALLING APART. MY CAR IS 2009, IT'S ONLY 8 YRS OLD. THERE'S SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HOW BAD IT GOTTEN. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT FIX.

NHTSA complaint #11001541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED THROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #11000545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE K FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED FROM RUST.

NHTSA complaint #10992094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION TO THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE SUPPORTING SUB-STRUCTURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #10957742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE SUBFRAME CRADLE WAS ROTTED SEVERELY, FRONT AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #10949798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED, SEVERELY RUSTED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #10937898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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ATTEMPTED TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON 12/19/2016 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME/SUBFRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED/CORRODED AND NEEDS REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10936566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS UNDER THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA complaint #10929442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER STARTED EMITTING SOME TERRIBLE SOUNDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE CITY YESTERDAY (10/20/2016). THIS OCCURRED WHEN TURNING AND DRIVING OVER ANYTHING BUT SMOOTH ROAD. STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED. AFTER STOPPING I LIFTED IT UP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER STABILIZER BAR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE BOLTS HADN'T SIMPLY COME LOOSE; THE SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME TO WHICH THE STABILIZER BAR ATTACHES HAD TORN AWAY. THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR YET I CAN BASICALLY POKE HOLES THROUGH THE SUBFRAME WITH MY FINGER.

NHTSA complaint #10917812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,150.

NHTSA complaint #10917841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT COLLAPSED FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW SPEED I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A MULTIPLE LANE HIGHWAY, PASSING ANOTHER CAR OR AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND COLLAPSED THE SUSPENSION. IT IS QUITE APPARENT THAT THE FRAME IS POORLY DESIGNED OR CONSTRUCTED. POSSIBLY BOTH. AT ANY RATE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I NOTIFIED CHRYSLER IN JULY AND OTHER THAN AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. KINDLY ADVISE ME IF THERE IS ANY ACTION THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN TAKE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10916846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. A YEAR AGO, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A WEEK AGO AND A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED EXTENSIVELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN THREE TIMES, BUT PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10895894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREMATURE CORROSION ON THE CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800.

NHTSA complaint #10893077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BROKEN SPRING ON MY CAR AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHERE I FOUND OUT MY ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES. I DRIVE 30 MILES TO WORK ON A MAJOR FREEWAY, DOING 70 - 80 MPH 5-7 DAYS A WEEK. IF THIS ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE COMPLETELY DURING MY COMMUTE, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR FLIPPED MY CAR!! THIS IS BEYOND A SAFETY CONCERN. I RECENTLY GOT RID OF A 1998 VEHICLE THAT DIDNT HAVE EVEN 1/10TH THIS AMOUND OF RUST ON ITS FRAME. I UNDERCARRIAGE FLUSH-CARWASH MY CAR EVERY WEEK MINIMUM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS TO AVOID LONGTERM SALT EXPOSURE. AND MY CAR IS GARAGE PARKED ALL THE TIME AT HOME. I TRANSPORT MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THIS CAR, AND AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING FINDING A LAWYER FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS MATTER. THERE ARE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A 6 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT BE THIS ROTTED!!!! I

NHTSA complaint #10885166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION NOTICED ON THE FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA complaint #10871240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE ROTTED AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMMON. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16

NHTSA complaint #10864454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.