Carrier/rack problems of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica

I recently took my 2004 Pacifica to my mechanic to get an oil change and he advised me that my subframe was rusted, rotted and cracked with holes. He said he had never seen anything like that in his many years as a mechanic. He also took pictures of it to show me. I contacted the local Chrysler and the headquarters and advised them of the same. They said that they were aware of the problem but couldn't help me because my vehicle's age was over 10 years old. I explained to them what the mechanic said and that the part was defective not because of the age of the car but because of the defective part. They do not stand by their product because they said that because of the age of my vehicle that they would not be able to help me. However, I am aware that some local customers in my area had their subframes replaced by Chrysler "free of charge", because the parts employee told me. He said that pictures of their vehicles were taken while on the lift and submitted to Chrysler and they were given authorization to replace the parts. However, they would not accommodate me because I didn't have an extended warranty with them. Chrysler picks and choses the customers that they want to help. Although my vehicle is 10 years old and I don't have an extended warranty with Chrysler, I always have maintained the use of my vehicle with regular oil changes, tune-ups, brake repairs, etc. With a privately owned mechanic. There is no reason that my vehicle should have a rusted, rotted part like this especially since I do not live in a flood zone area.

The well-known issue with model years 2004-2005 involving premature failure due to rust on the engine cradle has been confirmed on my own 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. This vehicle in 12 years old with a faulty subframe and is too dangerous to be driven. There are two extensive areas of rust, one on either side of the engine cradle that extend from in front of, to the rear of the control arms. The rusted areas are already so bad, I am able to fit fingers through the holes in the engine cradle. It is cracked and completely compromised of any structural integrity. There is no reason why this part should not be coated in a correct manner to reject corrosion in such an aggressive form. This is a problem that Chrysler is aware of and yet they refuse to fix it. There is no integrity in that decision and very little respect to be had for a corporation that handles such a well-known situation in such a poor manner. This is an extremely dangerous problem and I feel very strongly that this should be replaced by Chrysler.

While having my vehicle checked for a power steering leak at an independent mechanic, I received call from mechanic that if there was any way possible that I can come down to the service station because the problem was bigger than the leak. Once there he showed me the serious rust through on sub frame rails and engine cradle with noticeable cracks going upward on sub frame. He stated that the cause to my power steering leak is due to this sub frame being in the condition it is and it's vibration. He suggested that I contact Chrysler for a recall because he knows of the same problem on Honda's & Toyota's that were already recalled. After reading the forums and searching for a recall there is an extended warranty but unfortunately I fall under the state of NJ were this state is not eligible for the extended warranty. This is outrageous and a safety recall should be issued right away. With so many complaints I will move forward and start a class action law suit for not issuing a full scale recall to all 2004 Pacifica owners in every state. They clearly recognize the danger in their faulty design and manufacturing yet still refuse to issue a safety recall by only providing an extended warranty to some Pacifica owners. This is a serious danger to my family and a fatality waiting to happen.