Complaint 640442

Complaint Summary

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Owner Narrative

I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE SPRINTER VANS HAVE TWO SERIOUS PRODUCT DEFECTS: 1.A DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE WHICH APPARENTLY READS HALF FULL WHEN THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GASOLINE. 2.VERY LOW FUEL ECONOMY OF ABOUT 5 MPG RATHER THAN THE EXPECTED 15 MPG. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH GAS CONSUMPTION AND A DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPING WHEN THE GASOLINE TANK IS EMPTY. I AM AWARE OF FOUR VEHICLES OPERATED BY A SMALL COMPANY IN CHICAGO ALL OF WHICH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BOTH THE DEALER, SHERMAN DODGE IN SKOKIE, IL AND CHRYSLER LLC HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE DEFECTS FOR OVER A MONTH. I PERSONALLY HAVE OVER 38 YEARS OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE (13 AS A CONSULTANT) IN THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY INCLUDING EXPERIENCE AS AN ENGINEER AND EXPERT WITNESS IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES INVOLVING POTENTIAL PRODUCT DEFECTS. BASED ON MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, IT IS MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT THE PRODUCT DEFECTS ON THESE VEHICLES REPRESENT A SERIOUS RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS, OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY ENCOUNTER ONE OF THESE STALLED VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLING ON THE BUSY STREETS AND EXPRESSWAYS IN CHICAGO. THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME OR OPPORTUNITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION BEFORE IT ROLLS TO A STOP. OTHER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ARE HAULING GASOLINE IN CANS IN THEIR VEHICLES TO RESCUE THESE STALLED VEHICLES. HAULING GASOLINE IN A CAN, IN A VEHICLE IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. STANDING ON A BUSY STREET OR EXPRESSWAY WITH TRUCKS AND CAR SPEEDING PAST WHILE POUR GASOLINE FROM A CAN INTO ONE OF THESE STALLED DEFECTIVE SPRINTERS IS VERY RISKY. I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF ONE OF THESE DODGE SPRINTERS STALLING UNEXPECTEDLY. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO CORRECT THESE PRODUCT DEFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.