The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into allegations of braking problems with the 2013 Dodge Dart.
The agency has received more than a dozen complaints of braking difficulties, sometimes after drivers hear a “pop noise or an air hissing noise when applying the brake pedal,” according to excerpts of the investigation documents published by The Detroit News.
After hearing the noise, some drivers have reported difficulty depressing the brake pedal. The behavior is also said to cause an increase in braking distances, and at least one complainant claims to have experienced a complete failure of the service brakes.
“I feared for my life. It is one of the scariest things I have ever dealt with,” one complaint said. “I am lucky I am able to write this letter to you.”
The investigation comes as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles faces increasing scrutiny for its handling of recalls. The NHTSA has called for a public hearing next month, finding potential improprieties with nearly two dozen recall campaigns. FCA brands also dominated the bottom positions in JD Power’s latest quality survey.
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