Complaint Review:
Honda
Honda Neil Huffman in Louisville, KyRip off, Rusted Frames, Vehicle Danger, SUV, The National Transportation Safety dministration. Investigation 1998 - 2002 Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo Torrance, California
Debbi has become the latest in a growing list of people filing complaints with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
She told WLKY news exclusively that last Thursday she was driving her Isuzu Rodeo in the southern part of Louisville when she lost control of the vehicle. She said she managed to get the SUV to the side of the road, thinking it was just something minor, like a blown tire. She later found out that the frame on her Rodeo was rusted and had collapsed.
"I was driving last Thursday and the back end of the vehicle started to swerve," Ramsey said. "I could have been killed."
"She hit a bump and that's when it just dropped. The frame broke right there," Bob White Service Center auto mechanic Carl Gutman said.
Earlier this year, WLKY launched an investigation into the frames of the Honda Passport and the Isuzu Rodeo after nationwide complaints that they were crumbling under drivers. Ramsey's Isuzu Rodeo is parked at the Bob White Service Center. Its frame is rusted and broken in half.
"This ranks the worst I've ever seen," Gutman said.
"Have you ever seen something like this before?" WLKY's Eric King asked Gutman.
"I seen it on one of those Honda Passports," Gutman said.
In June 2009, the NHTSA began investigating the safety of the two vehicles, model years 1998-2002. Auto analysts said the two vehicles have the exact frame, were made at the same factory and have the same suppliers.
Earlier this year, the NHTSA investigation was escalated from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, the second and final phase of an NHTSA investigation. The escalation means, according to the NHSTA, the administration believes further examination of a potential safety defect is warranted.
Tuesday, Ramsey filed a complaint with the NHTSA.
Drivers with whom WLKY spoke in the initial investigation, along with Ramsey, are calling for a recall on both vehicle models. To their dismay, no such recall has been issued.
While the investigation continues, Ramsey is left looking for other ways to get around and fearful that others could be in danger.
"I can't imagine someone being on the expressway with their families and have their frames snap in half," Debbi said. "I don't want anybody being hurt."
WLKY's made efforts to reach both Honda and Isuzu Monday. Those calls were not returned.
In May, both companies said they were cooperating with the NHTSA investigation.
In a statement in May, Isuzu said, "We are cooperating fully with the NHTSA and will continue to do so." Isuzu claims that a collapse resulting from the rust would not result in a loss of control.
Honda said it "will cooperate fully with the NHTSA investigation."
I think that NHTSA is waiting for an SUV to roll over and kill a family of six before they act on this. I found out the investigation has been ongoing since June 2009... RIP OFF
1 Updates & Rebuttals
natalie
hiram,Maine,
United States of America
Isuzu Rodeo
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, January 11, 2011
I have a Isuzu rodeo Been waiting a year and half since my accident because my frame is gone . Finally got news that my SUV was not inspectable (no Kidding) They offered me 1500.00 for a SUV that kelly blue book has as 6500.00 at the time of my
accident , Im starting a civil lawsuit againest Isuzu if anyone else is out there with the same issue please email (((REDACTED)))