1992 Dodge Spirit

THIS CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED NEW BY A FORMER EMPLOYER IN 1992. I AM THE ORIGINAL DRIVER AND HAS TRULY FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND PERFORMED ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN MODERATELY ALL DURING ITS LIFE. THE REAR TORSION BAR, WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE REAR AXLE AND RUNS BETWEEN BOTH REAR WHEELS, HAS APPARENTLY BROKEN. THE REPAIR WILL COST $650 PLUS TAX. THE INTEGRITY OF THE REAR SUSPENSION IS PRESUMABLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEREAS THE FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, AXLES ARE VERY COMPLEX IN A FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE AUTO, THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION IS, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, VERY LOW-TECH AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE AUTO. INSTEAD, THE TORSION BAR IN THIS RATHER INERT PART OF THE CAR HAS SIMPLY BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER CASES OF A BROKEN REAR TORSION BAR, BOTH AT THIS DEALER'S SERVICE OPERATION AND AT MY LOCAL GARAGE. THIS STRIKES ME AS BEING AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION RATHER THE RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND USE. MY DODGE SAYS CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PARTICIPATE FINANCIALLY IN THE REPAIR, SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO SET A "PRECEDENT." PLEASE ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK