2009 Jeep Patriot 4X4

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT 4X4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE FLOATING LEFT TO RIGHT. THE STEERING ALSO TURNED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAYSTAR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (330-863-1144, LOCATED AT 206 S CARROLLTON ST, MALVERN, OH 44644) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT HARD BRAKING LOCKED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAUSED IT TO STICK TO THE FLOOR. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BRAKE PUMP AND THE ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK THE CAR BUCKS AND THE ENGINE DIES, FORCING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS - THE PUMP SHUTS OFF CONSTANTLY, ABOUT EVERY 1/3 GALLON OR SO, WHICH MEANS IT TAKES ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TWICE AND SPENT MORE THAN $300 IN ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THIS TO NO AVAIL. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS, IT HAS JUST ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT - I BOUGHT IT NEW AT THE DEALER.

WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK TO FULL, WITHIN A MILE OF LEAVING THE GAS STATION THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING AND THE BREAKS LOCK UP AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN IT ON AND OFF TO START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING! THIS RECENTLY STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH MINIMAL MILES ON IT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO SEVEN AND THEN IMMEDIATELY TO ZERO. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. FOUR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES AND LACERATIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT COMPLETELY DETACHED DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

AT LESS THAN 370000 MILES, (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) I NOTICED A CLUNKING AND RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. WHEN TAKING OFF OR BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AROUND 5-10 MPH, THE CLUNKING IS REALLY LOUD. I DROVE TO CHRYSLER IN WIESBADEN, GERMANY, AND INFORMED THEM THAT I BELIEVE IT WAS A LOWER BALL JOINT MAKING THE NOISE ON BOTH SIDES. LATER THEY CALLED ME AND SAID I WAS RIGHT, AND THEY DO NOT DO BALL JOINT REPAIR, THEY REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MAKES SENSE, I AM A MECHANIC, SAE CERTIFIED, WORKING AT A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID I NEEDED A CV BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COST OF A CONTROL ARM (PART ONLY-600 EURO!!. COST OF A CV BOOT, JUST A PIECE OF RUBBER, 201 EURO. PARTS ONLY. TOTAL COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR WOULD HAVE BEEN 1,060 EURO, ABOUT 1200 US DOLLARS FOR ONE SIDE ONLY. I DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO ROB ME, SO I ORDERED BOTH SIDES, CONTROL ARMS, CV BOOTS, INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS COMPLETE. I INSTALLED THEM WITH THE HELP OF MY SUPERVISOR USING MANUFACTURER'S DATA TO TORQUE ALL BOLTS AND NUTS. PARTS USED WERE CHRYSLER USA PARTS. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES THE SAME DAY. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND MANUFACTURE A FITTING PART. THE MATERIAL IS TOO CHEAP FOR SUCH A HEAVY CAR. SO, NO WARRANTY, NO RECALL (NOBODY DIED YET!) AND NO COOPERATION FROM CHRYSLER. *TR