2nd revision:
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Support for filing Class Action Suit against Chrysler to restore deletions in current year model production that are potential safety concerns
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To: All agencies concerned with Automobile Safety
Petition to determine the interest in filing a Class Action Suit against Chrysler over deletions to the 2003 PT Cruiser build level that create safety issues for the driver and occupants. This is specifically the PT Cruiser GT, but may apply to all PT Cruiser models as well as other vehicles in the current year (2003) line-up. This will address 2 items that are safety oriented.
1..... The first item is the Rear Sway Bar. This is a Safety Issue.
It was made standard on the 2002 Touring Edition (TE) of the PT Cruiser.
2003 Service Manual page 2-35 shows a rear stabilizer bar
The Press Releases, from Chrysler, announced that the 2003 GT would begin life with the suspension of the current (then 2002) TE.
The Code Sheets that the dealer's used for taking preliminary orders of the 2003 model specifically listed the Rear Sway Bar as standard equipment.
Yet Chrysler decided to eliminate the cost of providing the rear sway bar, even after it was printed as standard on all of the early production window stickers. Their solution to this problem was to print new window stickers and only pay for installation of some of the units that were sold with the original sticker and who's owners insisted upon it's installation. Many owners with the bar on the window stickers can not get their dealer to install the bar. Also, it's not just GT's, it is every 2003 model that is missing the bar.
DC put out a TSB informing dealers that a rear bar is not needed on the 2003'sService Bulletin Number: 0200402; Date of Bulletin: OCT 28, 2002; Summary: REAR STABILIZER BAR TECHNICAL INFORMATION. Many service departments read this with the same shock as the customer, and some dealerships installed it anyway; out of concern for the customers safety and in defense of the concept of integrity.
Chrysler then came out with press releases touting the Watts Linkage as a replacement for the Sway Bar. However, the Watts Linkage had been used in conjunction with the Rear Sway Bar in previous year(s) production. Also, the automobile manufacturing industry had apparently not been as enlightened as Chrysler, as they continued to use both in conjunction on their models, instead of following Chrysler's earth-shattering conclusion that the Watts Linkage could do the job of both.
Here is their attempt to explain away their denial of the basic laws of physics. It is an insult to all.:
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Dear XXXXXX,
Thank you for your email regarding the lack of an external rear stabilizer bar on your 2003 PT Cruiser.
Some confusion has been caused by the window sticker listing "Stabilizer Bar - Rear" on the 2003 PT Cruiser, due to a visual change between the 2003 vehicle and prior model years. Please be assured that the function of roll control provided by a rear stabilizer bar still exists on your 2003 PT Cruiser, even though you will not see an external stabilizer bar.
As an engineering change for the 2003 model year, DaimlerChrysler and our suppliers have developed technology to allow the internal rear stabilizer bar (which is integrated into the rear axle) to be up-sized to provide a level of roll control that equals the performance of the previous combination of internal and external bars.
In order to prevent any future confusion, the window sticker has been changed to eliminate the item from the standard equipment list. This change affects only the window sticker - the equipment specification of the vehicle is unchanged.
No equipment shortage is present on the 2003 PT Cruiser. No retrofit or adjustment is required and the addition of a supplemental external stabilizer bar on a 2003 PT Cruiser will alter the performance of the
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