NHTSA complaint: 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH FOR A DIP IN THE ROAD THAT CONTAINED WATER. AFTER GOING THROUGH THE DIP/WATER SHE STARTED TO ACCELERATE BUT BEGAN FISH-TAILING. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PUMPED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO CORRECT THE FISH-TAILING. HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUED OUT-OF-CONTROL. SHE THEN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND HELD IN DOWN, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 375 FEET, FIRST GOING OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT, OVER A CURB, HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE, CAREENED ACROSS THE ROAD, OVER ANOTHER CURB, THROUGH ABOUT SIX FEET OF 12 INCH BOULDERS AND THROUGH THE WALL OF A BUILDING. THE ONLY WAY WE CAN EXPLAIN THIS, IS THAT THE ACCELERATED HAD TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. IN FACT, WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AND THE REAR WHEEL HAD DUG A SIX INCH HOLE IN THE DIRT FROM SPINNING. N ADDITION, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation