THIS TIRE IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL DUE TO THE LOACTION OF ITS PRODUCTION SITE; HOWEVER, ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SPLITTING AT THE SAME POINT WHERE THE "VD" TIRES HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE CANADA PLANT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THESE TIRES REPLACED AS PART OF THE RECALL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
2011
STEERING
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE IN NYC. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED TO BE MINDFUL OF OTHER PEDESTRIANS/VEHICLES IN GARAGE. MY CAR MADE A SUDDEN LOUD POPPING SOUND. I FELT THE CAR JOLT TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE WALL TO THE RIGHT OF ME. ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PARKING ATTENDANTS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE GARAGE COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND I COULDN'T EITHER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MANHATTAN JEEP WHERE SERVICE REP SCOTT CARUSO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED THAT THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TURN COMPLETELY RIGHT. HE ENTERED THE ISSUE AS A WARRANTY CLAIM. MY OWN RESEARCH HAS TURNED UP OTHER STEERING ISSUES WITH THE JEEP WRANGLER THAT SOUND SIMILAR. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AT SUCH A LOW SPEED AND IN A PARKING GARAGE. I AM SURE IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WOULD BE MULTIPLE FATALITIES. TO THIS DAY CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY CLAIM AND MY CAR IS SITTING IN MANHATTAN JEEP UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. D'AMBROSIO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP IN DOWNINGTOWN, PA (WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE) HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A MECHANICAL WARRANTY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. CHRYSLER HAS NOT HONORED THE WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED.