2010 Jeep Patriot 4X4

THE VEHICLE IS A 2010 JEEP PATRIOT LATITUDE, TRAIL RATED MODEL. APPARENTLY STRUCK A ROCK WITH THE TAILPIPE WHICH CAUSED THE MUFFLER TO MOVE UPWARD, RESULTING IN THE MUFFLER GETTING CAUGHT ON THE MUFFLER HANGER MOUNTS. THIS ALLOWED THE TAILPIPE OUTLET TO REST ABOVE AND ON THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPER COVER FASCIA. DAMAGE TO MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE WAS COSMETIC, BUT HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSED THE BUMPER TO MELT AND CHAR. CANNOT BE CERTAIN IF THERE WAS ANY FLAME OR FIRE AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. WE ATTEMPTED TO DISLODGE THE MUFFLER BY HAND, BUT IT IS TOO TIGHTLY WEDGED IN. ROAD HAZARDS ARE A FACT OF DRIVING, AND DRIVERS SHOULD DO THEIR BEST TO AVOID THEM. HOWEVER, LIGHT TO MODERATE IMPACT TO A MUFFLER SHOULD NOT CAUSE A SITUATION WHERE A HOT TAILPIPE CAN COME IN CONTACT OR CLOSE PROXIMITY WITH ANY PLASTIC PARTS (SUCH AS THE BUMPER COVER) THAT COULD MELT, CHAR OR POSSIBLY IGNITE. THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE PATRIOT AND COMPASS HAVE BEEN NOTED IN ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET AND IT IS FOR CERTAIN THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT JEEP - CHRYSLER PROVIDE A FIX FOR THIS DESIGN PROBLEM FOR ANY POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, AND IN ADDITION, WORK WITH THOSE OWNERS WHOSE BUMPERS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. *TR