NHTSA complaint: 2014 DODGE JOURNEY — AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). AFTER THE REPAIR, THERE WAS A LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY AND NO TRACTION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT FELT AS IF THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL AND FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND LOWER BACK PAINS. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN, RESTRAINED IN THE SEAT BELT, AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY A RESPONDER. THE REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BRUISING AND WHIPLASH FROM THE IMPACT. ONE OF THE TWO REAR PASSENGERS WAS MEDEVACKED DUE TO THE INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS LATER DEPLOYED WITH A LOW LEVEL OF DEFLATION AND A SMOKE RESIDUE FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDED NO INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *CN
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation