NHTSA complaint: 1996 DODGE STRATUS — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON KNIGHTS ROAD IN BENSALEM, A CAR (2 CARS AHEAD OF ME)SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE MINI-VAN THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME ALSO STOPPED SUDDENLY. AS I APPROACHED, I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP. THE MINI-VAN STARTED TO PROCEED AROUND THE VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO ALSO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MINI-VAN STOPPED SUDDENLY AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY CAR ROLLED INTO THE MINI-VAN. MY INSURANCE PAID OUT APPROXIMATLY $1500.00 IN DAMAGE TO FIX THEIR BUMPER. I AM NOW HOWEVER GOING THROUGH A LAWSUIT FOR BODILY DAMAGE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED I CONTACTED CHRYSLER. THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR OUT TO CHECK MY BRAKES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND THAT I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE A CAR WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THIS INFURIATED ME FOR IT IS NOT THE FIRST CAR I HAVE HAD WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE WITH ANY OTHER CAR. THIS ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON THIS CAR. SEVERAL INCIDENTS OCCURRED PREVIOUS WHERE I WOULD TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT AND SUDDENLY LOOSE MY BRAKES FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE INSPECTION, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED WHETHER ANY ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR IF IT IS JUST A COINCEDA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation