CarComplaints.com Notes: This is a classic example of why you should avoid the first model year of a new car. Sure, it's new and shiny but there's going to be some growing pains.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driver of the vehicle went off road and hit tree was killed. Unknown cause of crash may relate to airbag explosion. Car exploded on impact updated 12/04/17
A driver suddenly stopped in front of while I was moving resulting of me hitting her in the back. Front of my car is totaled. The shock was violent but the airbag never deployed. Thank god I was not greatly hurt.
My 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T burned through the unibody frame rails directly adjacent to the catalytic converters. This caused the frame to develop rust perforations. Damage is the same on both sides of the car, concentrated where the exhaust manifolds meet the catalytic converters. This is a difficult area to see, let alone inspect due to tight confines and heat from the exhaust system. It was found while changing the oil dipstick tube. The rest of the car is exceptionally clean and has never been undercoated, in an accident or winter driven. Numerous technicians looked at the problem at Chrysler and independent garages. All of them agreed the problem was caused by heat from the catalytic converters burning away the factory rust protection and then accelerating rusting of this structural area. The Chrysler dealer bodyshop quoted over $8000 to replace the rotted frame rails, mostly labor because they would have to remove the engine, transmission, exhaust, front subframe and much of the interior. The Chrysler dealer service manager sent in a report to his district service rep. I also filed a report with Chrysler customer care, case file number 25844173. They informed me that since the problem was not chronic with Magnums and the car was past its 3-year rust perforation warranty they would not repair the car or help with repair costs. This is a major structural defect with the frame of the car, not a mere rust hole in a body panel! I suspect the problem may be found in other Chrysler LX-body models of 2005 model year. Out of concern for the safety of these vehicles I walked around a local junkyard and found a 2005 model Chrysler 300 starting to show corrosion problems in the same frame areas adjacent to the catalytic converters. I have been documenting and photographing all of this.
When the tail gate was lifted to retrieve the items placed inside the car the tail gate failed to keep open and came down on my head. The hood supports started to fail 2 years ago so we put a support (broom handle) to hold it open to check the oil level in the motor. This was a engineering goof when the car was designed, springs would have been less expensive than the supports and have been used for years without failing. I was very lucky as that tail gate must weigh at least 200 lbs.
- Little River, SC, USA
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Rear hatch often closes suddenly and without warning. On at least one occasion, it has stuck someone in the head as he was unloading groceries. Minor injuries limited to bruising.
Both hood and rear liftgate struts have failed independently of each other. The rear gradually failed. The hood struts failed suddenly causing the hood to fall on my head and neck.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Irving, TX, USA