Help!
I bought a new 1999 Dodge Stratus and now there are significant pockets of rust on the leading edge of the hood near the grill. Evidently this is a common problem. I took it back to my dealer last week and they told it's not covered under the warranty and I'd have to buy a new hood for $900. My Owner's manual say's that I'm covered for exterior rust on painted surfaces for 5 years/100K miles, which ever occurs first. I preceed both conditions but the dealer says that a "pinch weld" caused the rust and so I'm not covered. The manuals contains no language about pinch welds. What's concerning is that the rust is forming around the hood latch. If it breaches, the hood is certain to fly open on the freeway one day.
Does anyone have any advise on how to resolve this problem or initiate litigation before I cause an accident?
Thanks in advance, snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com Northeast Ohio