Ask the Car People.SM


Chrysler Pacifica Suspension Problems

780 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 1:36 PM

You are in the Chrysler Pacifica Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Pacifica, Suspension, Wagon


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 73 of 79

#714 of 780 hope you get answers... by slaconte

Sep 16, 2012 (5:39 pm)

Chrysler is exhausting to deal with, to say the least. We have battled with Chrysler for the past year over my husband's 2004 Dodge Ram. They do not budge on their rust/corrosion warranty. We bought new, have taken very good care of the vehicle, and it is basically rusting out over the wheel wells...and every other one we see on the road around here is doing the same thing. We are in CT, so it sees some road salt, but nothing that my husband does not get washed off quickly. We are neat freaks with our cars. This thing is literally falling apart over the wheel wells at 116K. Terrible. There is a design flaw. Chrysler has been completely impossible - and frankly unresponsive to the point they won't even listen - they don't care. We also have a Pacifica, with its own share of issues, but I am praying the engine mounts are going to hold up. I just hit 100K. We are DONE with Chrysler. I hope you have better luck that we have. Sadly, our previous cars were foreign (Toyota, Nissan), with more miles at trade in and no problems, so we will go back to those brands as soon as we can afford to get rid of these.

#715 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [slaconte] by charger3

Sep 16, 2012 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: slaconte (Sep 16, 2012 5:39 pm)
If you Google it you will find a lot of other manufactures have the same problems with their cars

#716 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [slaconte] by anniev49

Sep 17, 2012 (7:19 am)

Replying to: slaconte (Sep 16, 2012 5:39 pm)
Thank you. As I have been pursuing this problem , it seems to me that rust in the body of the car indicates poor workmanship/materials, but rust in the subframe/engine cradle is a major defect: The car is dangerous to drive and won't pass inspection.
 
Chrysler HAS owned up to this by issuing its extended warranty for a small number of Pacificas. They are just refusing to address how widespread the problem is, and if the complaints are not widespread then they will get away with it.
 
I see rust on vehicles all the time, over the wheels, etc, and it's a different issue. The metal in the subframe, naturally, is supposed to be a lot stronger than the metal used for the body of a car.
 
While your rust may be unsightly, it does not prevent you from driving the vehicle (Or do you have rust in the subframe as well?).
 
When Toyota had this problem, they issued a recall. Just google Toyota truck frame recall. Chrysler will probably get away with this due to a combo of corporate irresponsibility/shoddy customer relations and Pac owners giving up the fight.
 
Complaints must be filed, and word must get out. I am not a well-read blogger, and have been turned down by the New York Times consumer editorialist "The Haggler," but I intend to shine as much light on this as possible.
 
If you have this problem, pick one thing per day and just do it: Post to car forums, write your congressmen/state reps/State Dept of Consumer Protection, complain at NHSTA, contact the press. It may be exhausting, but that's what Chrysler relies on. At least if we lose we know that we pursued every option.
 
And yes: If I ever can afford to buy a vehicle again, it will NOT be a Chrysler.

#717 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [slaconte] by abuckley

Sep 17, 2012 (7:34 am)

Replying to: slaconte (Sep 16, 2012 5:39 pm)
I fought with Chrysler on the engine cradle warranty for my Pacifica. I finally filed a complaint with the Attorney General'soffice and also with the district manager of our local dealership. As soon as I did that they suddenly agreed to the repair. Try that route too

#718 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [abuckley] by anniev49

Sep 17, 2012 (7:43 am)

Replying to: abuckley (Sep 17, 2012 7:34 am)
Good for you, and thanks very much. Will make sure I revisit the dealership too.

#719 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [anniev49] by farout

Sep 17, 2012 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: anniev49 (Sep 17, 2012 7:43 am)
You might insist that the Zone Rep meet with you and see what he or she says. Fiat has limited the Zone Reps and extended their Zones, so it may take longer.
 
Have you considered taking this PAC back to where you bought it, and dumping it back on their worries? If you have the PAC financed contact where you are making the payments and asking them to put some pressurer on the dealer?
 
A member of my family who retired from B of A and part of their job was helping pressure dealers to deal with it.

#720 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [farout] by anniev49

Sep 18, 2012 (9:59 am)

Replying to: farout (Sep 17, 2012 7:34 pm)
Thanks very much for the good suggestions. Will focus on the Zone Rep again (where I originally started, over a year ago). The car has been paid off for a couple of years , and I bought it out of state. Since it did not pass inspection and has an old sticker, I'm afraid to go on a long interstate drive with it, only to have the original dealer turn me down & have to drive all the way back. But I do understand the reasoning of going to the original dealer. Thanks again.

#721 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [anniev49] by slaconte

Sep 19, 2012 (7:32 am)

Replying to: anniev49 (Sep 18, 2012 9:59 am)
Terrible that this is going on and you cannot drive your car...it is a long shot, but have you tried contacting media in your area, or even on a larger scale, such as Dateline or such? Remember the tire problem with the Ford Explorer they brought to light years ago? I think I remember the Toyota Frame issue was covered by a larger media outlet as well. Especially since some Pacificas were already recalled for this? Or, have you contacted your attorney general's office. If you have AAA, or can get it, I believe the Gold (or upgraded) package includes 250 miles of towing, maybe they would flatbed your car to the original dealer?

#722 of 780 Re: hope you get answers... [slaconte] by anniev49

Sep 19, 2012 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: slaconte (Sep 19, 2012 7:32 am)
Thanks for the thought, and yes, I have tried "The Haggler" consumer columnist at the New York Times but he was not interested. I will try the NY Post next...

Messages Page 73 of 79

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement