This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle pulls to the left while driving 25 mph. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle home. Then, consumer noticed that the bushing was worn out, and steering rack broke. Manufacturer was notified.
While driving children to school my wife stated the car "drifted" in the lane a lot without steering input. I took it for test drive, noticed a strange "feel" to the steering and the drift she spoke of. I decided it was unsafe for her to drive and took it to a local repair shop to be checked. The mechanic put it up on the rack and immediately recognized the problem--the left side steering rack bushings were completely gone. He gave us a quote for the repair (it is being done today), and then he pulled me aside to let me know he had seen this type of failure several times before and suggested I contact the dealer to see if they would "goodwill it" (his term) as he says it was his understanding the part was defective as originally manufactured and that a new style bushing was available that did not deteriorate like this one and was much safer. Contacted the dealer in auburn and talked to the service manager, he said car is too old (1996) so we are out of luck and quoted me a repair price almost double the local mechanic.
Steering rack sways from side to side producing a clicking sound. The body member (a plate) underneath the rack also sways. The dealer (woodbridge Dodge, NJ) says, that the rack bushings have worn out. Which is very abnormal. But they won't replace the bushings-only. The cost of rack replacement is more that $1500.
Power steering rack came loose causing a dangerous situation in 12/97 & 11/99. Same problem each time as well as many other problems, such as engine being rebuilt, air conditioning unit replaced and several other problems.
When at any speed and making any type of turn there is a popping sound coming from the steering, and consumer's tires are bald, and the consumer had the tires rotated and the tires are not any good, which can cause a safety defect while driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA