Water Leak In My New Car - Help

[Advntrous1]

Im hoping that someone has gone through this (well, not really because this sucks) and cal guide me what to do from here.

I have a leftover new 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT-8. It was dealer used and I got it with 3400 miles on it. I now have 6000 miles on it and it is only ONE month later (purchased 11/27/07).

Last night I opened the trunk because of moisture build-up on the rear window. After I opened it, I noticed a "wet sneaker smell". So, I ran my hand around and the carpet was soaked, including the area around the sub-woofer. Then I opened up where the spare tire is (SRT-8 don't have spares). I felt sick to my stomach as to what I saw....

The trunk had a good 8-9 inches of water where the spare normally goes. The battery, wiring harness, the fuse panel...everything is either soaked or under water. The water has condensation in the third light and the tail lights. There is also corrosion on contacts. As I further looked, I folded down the rear seats(which seemed damp) and the bolts that hold them have rust and corrosion on them as well.

Of course it's New Years Day...What a way to start the new year...and everything is closed.

I guess my questions are:

Where do I go from here?

Since this water is actually going to devalue the car, what can I do?

I purchased this car in Roanoke IL and I live in Long Island NY. I hope there is someone that can guide me on this.

One of the first things I will be doing is calling Chrysler Corp first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks in advance.

[CUEBALL]

here's one thread that may help, but check for an improperly installed or torn seal, and maybe the trunk was left open. This has happened a few times here, I'll look for the other ones shortly...

electric short... how much damage do you think???

[terrysrt8]

That really stinks. I have had my 2006 exposed to it's second winter season in Chicago, and I never experienced this. I gotta think Chrysler will cover all expenses to repair damage.....including the cleaning of your carpet in your trunk!

[Advntrous1]

Originally Posted by CUEBALL

here's one thread that may help, but check for an improperly installed or torn seal, and maybe the trunk was left open. This has happened a few times here, I'll look for the other ones shortly...

Thanks for the heads up! I looked into this further. There is moisture up by the third light and there were also water spots. At the end of that post the guy mentions something about a rear window seal. What sucks is I have gone further and found that the bolts that hold the rear seats are corroded and the rear seats are damp. The sub woofer is also wet. I found out that the park assist computer is also back there. I have taken pictures and video taped all.

Originally Posted by terrysrt8

That really stinks. I have had my 2006 exposed to it's second winter season in Chicago, and I never experienced this. I gotta think Chrysler will cover all expenses to repair damage.....including the cleaning of your carpet in your trunk!

My goal at this point with this much damage is a new car. Period. I have only owned this car 36 days. The value of this car will be shot and anyone looking this up on carfax or running the history from the dealer will show water damage. I will be contacting Chrysler Corp. tomorrow morning. I swear I will follow through with this and make sure this turns out well. If not, Im sure a lawsuit and my video on YouTube will change their minds. I am hoping that Chrysler is bigger than that and take care of this the right way. Repairing everything: the interior, computers, the stuff in the trunk still won't change the fact that the cars monetary value is going to be nothing after I tell someone it has had water damage.

Let me know if anyone else has had this issue and how you made out and what the cause was. I will also let everyone know how this works out.

[Advntrous1]

One more thing....

I'm sure the trunk was not open. Im really never in it which is why this got so bad with things rusting. Now a seal??? But after a month?

[CUEBALL]

Let us know how it works out!

[Advntrous1]

Originally Posted by CUEBALL

Let us know how it works out!

Update: Spoke to Chrysler Corp. They had roadside assistance flatbed the car to the dealer. I could not believe how fast they were here. After I got off the phone, I received an automated call they would be here in 40 minutes...which I thought was never gonna happen. I was right....Only they were there in 10 minutes...not 3 hours. When we got to the dealer, we tried to remove the trunk inlay, but because of the snap cold we had here in NY, everything was frozen...I can only imagine what everything freezing is doing to the parts and electronics the water worked its way into.

What I got told is they will have to deturmine why it happened. Then a rep. from Chrysler along with a regional and district guy will all meet and look over the car. Of course, I will be there to make sure they get my feelings on this matter.

Chrysler (both the dealer and corp.) worked out details for me to have a rental car which I now have until this is resolved.

This problem with my car sucks, but so far Chrysler has been handling this well. I should have an update in the next day or so....

[CUEBALL]

So far so good! Hope the resolution goes as smoothly!

Originally Posted by Advntrous1

Update: Spoke to Chrysler Corp. They had roadside assistance flatbed the car to the dealer. I could not believe how fast they were here. After I got off the phone, I received an automated call they would be here in 40 minutes...which I thought was never gonna happen. I was right....Only they were there in 10 minutes...not 3 hours. When we got to the dealer, we tried to remove the trunk inlay, but because of the snap cold we had here in NY, everything was frozen...I can only imagine what everything freezing is doing to the parts and electronics the water worked its way into.

What I got told is they will have to deturmine why it happened. Then a rep. from Chrysler along with a regional and district guy will all meet and look over the car. Of course, I will be there to make sure they get my feelings on this matter.

Chrysler (both the dealer and corp.) worked out details for me to have a rental car which I now have until this is resolved.

This problem with my car sucks, but so far Chrysler has been handling this well. I should have an update in the next day or so....

[terrysrt8]

Good luck!

[Stockholm 300C]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. My '07 has just had its first real soaking today. We got real rain in California today! After reading this I need to go outside and check the trunk.

Let us know how the dealer handles the situation. Do you have any pictures to post?