1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE Steering Problems

MOUNTING SUPPORT BUSHINGS TO "RACK & PINION" BECOME BRITTLE AND ALLOW MOVEMENT OF RACK WHICH REDUCES STEERING RESPONSE. DURING COLD WEATHER THE PROBLEM IS ALSO NOTICEABLE AS A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL 'BACK AND FORTH'. THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE RACK AND THAT PIPE SHOULD BE INSULATED TO REDUCE THE HEAT TRANSFER TO THE BUSHINGS THAT ANCHOR THE RACK (ABOVE). *TR

Mileage: 30,000

A POPPING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY VIBRATES AND HAS SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. A JULY 2008 SAFETY INSPECTION REVEALED "EXCESSIVE PLAY" IN THE STEERING LINKAGE AND LEFT OUTER TIEROD WAS BAD. REPAIRS PERFORMED AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED YET AGAIN THREE MONTHS LATER. AFTER LEARNING OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RELATED TO STEERING PROBLEMS IN CHRYSLER VEHICLES, I NOW FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS THEY ARE PUTTING ON THE MARKET. *TR

Mileage: 151,401

I HAVE A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE AND WHILE DRIVING HAD THE TIE ROD BOLTS BREAK COMPLETELY OFF FROM THE RACK, SINCE I HAVE HAD THE BUSHINGS AND BOLTS REPLACED TWICE, AND AM STILL IN NEED OF RACK MOUNT BUSHINGS AS THEY HAVE FAILED AND I NOW ONCE AGAIN FEEL THE CAR FLOATING WHERE EVER IT WANTS TO GO ON THE ROAD. THE RACK MOUNT BUSHINGS ARE APPROX. $53 FOR TWO AND I AM IN NEED OF FOUR. I WORK BARELY PART TIME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN EXIST. WHERE DOES A COMPANY LIKE DC STOP ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISSUES THAT ARE VERY MUCH ON THEIR END OF THE STICK? HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN KILLED NO QUESTION. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT REGULARLY RIDE IN THE CAR AND IS CHRYSLER GOING TO PAY FOR OUR FUNERAL WHEN THEIR PRODUCT KILLS ONE OF US OR ON OF THEIR MILLIONS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS? I HIGHLY DOUBT IT. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY! *TR

Mileage: 240,000

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL PARTY. 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, MY BOYFRIEND HAD PARKED ALONG THE STREET IN FRONT OF A FRIENDS HOUSE FOR A MOMENT, AND HAD JUST BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM THE CURB, WHEN HE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. AT THE SAME TIME, HE WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE CURB, BUT THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. LUCKILY, HE WAS GOING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND THAT THE BOLTS FROM THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MECHANISM HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. THEY HAD SNAPPED IN HALF, LEAVING PART OF THE BOLTS INSIDE OF THE UNIT. I THANK GOD THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, AND THAT MY 12 YEAR OLD SON WASN'T IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR REPAIRS, SINCE I JUST SPENT ALL THE MONEY I HAD BUYING THIS VEHICLE, SO I HAVEN'T EVEN LOOKED INTO WHAT THIS IS GOING TO COST ME. I TRULY HOPE THAT CHRYSLER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE EVEN MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 111,765

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END RATTLED AND SHOOK AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THREE YEARS. THE FIRST TIME IN AUGUST 2003, THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. THE SECOND TIME IN JUNE 2004, THE FRONT END RATTLED AND SHOOK. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 140,000

1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND RIM DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. *KB ALL THE LUG NUTS WERE TORN OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIE ROD HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. *JB

AFTER HITTING BUMP IN ROAD 96 CHRYSLER CONCORDE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHING WAS MISSING. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *JB

Mileage: 65,130

1996 CONCORDE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. *TS ***NAR*** THE TRANSAXLE LEAKED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

DT: CONSUMER STATED THE RACK AND PINION CONTINUED TO WEAR OUT WHICH CAUSED THE CAR THE CONSUMER TO VEER OFF TO THE CENTER LINE. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 46,000 MILES ON IT. IT JUST TAKES OFF IN ANY DIRECTION LEFT OR RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CHRYSLER SAID SINCE HE HAD IT REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, IT LASTED FOR 2 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HAD THE INNER TIE ROD REPLACED FOUR TIMES. SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS TOLD HER THIS WAS NOT A GOOD CAR. TALSO, HE RACK AND PINION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WILL NOT TURN.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT HAD THE INNER TIE ROD REPLACED FOUR TIMES. SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS TOLD HER THIS WAS NOT A GOOD CAR. TALSO, HE RACK AND PINION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WILL NOT TURN.*AK

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS WORN. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT TWICE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 46,000

FIRST IT WAS THE RACK & PINION GOING OUT ON MY 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. CHRYSLER DID REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE TIE-RODS HAVE FAILED - NOT COVERED UNDER CHRYSLER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB

Mileage: 78,000

STEERING MAKES A GRUNTING SOUND WHEN WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND FORTH, THE MOUNTS ON THE RACK ARE LOOSE. *AK

Mileage: 139,600

I OWN A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE WHICH HAS BEEN GIVING ME STEERING PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I FIRST NOTICED IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS ON VERY COLD DAYS WHEN I WOULD LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND MADE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST TURN OF THE WHEEL THERE WOULD BE SOME LOUD POPPING NOISES AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF. ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP THE STEERING WAS MORE FLUID AND THE NOISE WOULD DIMINISH. THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE CONTINUED AND NOW I SEEM TO EXPERIENCE THEM EVEN IN WARMER TEMPERATURES. RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING THE WHEEL I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS BREAKING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NO LONGER STRAIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHICH INDICATES AN ALIGNMENT IS IN ORDER. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THIS MORNING AND AFTER INSPECTING IT HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK & PINION BUSHINGS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE SPECIFICALLY SAID THE PROBLEM IS WHERE THE RACK & PINION CONNECT TO THE BODY. HE ALSO SAID HE DOES NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOL(S) TO REPAIR THIS SO HE REFERRED ME TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE I CALLED AND WAS INFORMED THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $1650 PERHAPS MORE DEPENDING ON IF STRUTS AND MOUNTS WERE ALSO NEEDED. I AM PLACING THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA BECAUSE I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FROM OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE'S. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND COMPENSATE IT'S CUSTOMERS FOR ANY/ALL COSTS RELATED TO THIS APPARENT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *JB

Mileage: 140,000

WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN GETTING HIT BUY ONE OF THE MANY CHRYSLER CARS WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF NOT ALREADY. *LA

Mileage: 45,000

WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN GETTING HIT BUY ONE OF THE MANY CHRYSLER CARS WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF NOT ALREADY. *LA

Mileage: 45,000

WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN GETTING HIT BUY ONE OF THE MANY CHRYSLER CARS WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF NOT ALREADY. *LA

Mileage: 45,000

WELL AS I CAN TELL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THE RACK AND PINION, BUSHINGS AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE AND TIE ROD ENDS. MY CONCORD HAS HAD A CLUNK GRINDING SOUND FOR SOMETIME IN THE STEERING AND NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO NOT TURN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A $1000.00 TO $2000.00 TO GET THIS FIXED WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN GETTING HIT BUY ONE OF THE MANY CHRYSLER CARS WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF NOT ALREADY. *LA

Mileage: 45,000

I HAVE A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS ONE THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL ALSO. WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS WEAR OUT AND ALLOWS THE STEERING TO WANDER. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS MY BROTHER IN LAW WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER AND EXPECTING THE CAR TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF STEERING BUT INSTEAD THE CAR WANTED TO GO STRAIGHT UNTIL THE STEERING GEAR HAD TRAVELED AS FAR AS IT COULD GO THEN THE STEERING REACTED. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END LEADING A MECHANIC TO BELIEVE THE ROTORS ARE WARPED WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS. THESE BUSHINGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH CHRYSLER. INSTEAD THEY WANT YOU TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW STEERING GEAR FOR OVER $1000. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON TO THE 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI AND CHRYSLER SHOULD EITHER MAKE THE PART AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OR REPLACE THE PART AT THERE OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS WHERE SOMEONE MAY DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND GET HURT OR KILLED AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW WHY OTHER THAN TO EXPECT THAT IT WAS THE DRIVERS FAULT. *LA

Mileage: 46,000

I HAVE PUT NEARLY $2000 INTO THE FRONT END OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE, BEGINNING WITH THE INFAMOUS EARLY RACK & PINION DEFECT. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS UP ON BLOCKS WAITING FOR ME TO REPLACE NEARLY EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END.*AK THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE OF REPLACEMNT COSTS.

Mileage: 70,000

STEERING IS VERY BAD. PULLS TO THE LEFT. RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS BAD, AS WELL AS A TIE ROD. USUALLY MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT. ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD. I'VE REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

Mileage: 144,000

STEERING IS VERY BAD. PULLS TO THE LEFT. RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS BAD, AS WELL AS A TIE ROD. USUALLY MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT. ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD. I'VE REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *AK

Mileage: 144,000

VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY PULL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS COMING APART AT THE MOUNT.*AK

Mileage: 60,000

TEXT OF MESSAGE SENT TO [email protected] WED., 7-23-2003. MY ELDERLY FATHER HAS A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE FOR WHICH HE CURRENTLY HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP IN COATS, NC HAS ADVISED THAT IT HAS A GOOD IDEA THAT IT MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR MISSING BUSHINGS, LOOSE STEERING GEAR BOLTS, OR OTHER COMMONLY KNOWN PROBLEMS. THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE UNTIL THEY CAN LOOK AT IT NEXT WEEK. I AM ASTOUNDED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS IN EFFECT FOR THIS SUBJECT. IT TOOK A SOLID HOUR FOR ME TO CUT / PASTE THE ATTACHED. THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM YOUR RECORDS - VIVID DESCRIPTIONS WARNING OF SAFETY CONCERNS FROM CUSTOMERS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO REACH CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S SENSE OF CONCERN AND DUTY TOWARD THIS MATTER. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THIS MATTER? YOUR WEBSITE CITES THE FOLLOWING: "IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURER MUST FIX IT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. YOUR COMPLAINT IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS." THE "NEXT STEP" HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN, AND INVESTIGATIONS #EA99031 OCT 29, 1999 AND PE99044 SEP 13, 2001 CLOSED WITH NO ASSUMPTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY BY CHRYSLER, AND NO RECALL MANDATED FOR SAFETY ISSUES. CHRYSLER OWES THIS "WELL KNOWN" PROBLEM'S FIX TO MY FATHER AT NO CHARGE. I WILL NOT STAND BY AND SEE HIM TAKEN FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS ONE HAS SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS, WAS NOT PROPERLY INVESTIGATED BY YOUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, OR WAS SET ASIDE PREMATURELY.HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE?*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING THE STEERING BOLTS ARE LOOSE, AND IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TS

Mileage: 130

I USE TO OWN A 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE LXI I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS MY WHEELS FALLING OFF, LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP STATED THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD AT ALL! MY ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 45 M.P.H., ALL POWER TO THE CAR DIED. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO SEVERAL CONCORDE OWNERS AND THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE. I STOP MAKING PAYMENT FOR THIS CAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I BROUGHT IT FROM WOULD NOT FIX IT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I FEAR FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS THIS CAR NOW, THEY COULD LOSE THEIR LIFE.*JB

Mileage: 49,555

STEERING RACK REPLACEMENT IN 1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE IS VERY COSTLY AND PROBLEMATIC. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT SUCH AN INHERENT BAD DESIGN I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, LET ALONE ANY CHRYSLER PRODUCT. MY PARTICULAR UNIT HAS FAILED AT THE LOW MILEAGE OF 110,000 AND BECAME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO FAILURE! FURTHERMORE, DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS MANY OTHER COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE REQUIRED TEAR DOWN TO ACCESS THE FAILED STEERING RACK COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION TO THE STEERING RACK FAILURE, THE FUEL RAIL GASKETS ALSO FAILED IN LEAKAGE AT THE SAME TIME.

Mileage: 110,000

ON 10/11/96 I PURCHASED A NEW CHRYSLER CONCORDE FROM A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER HERE IN MONTGOMERY, AL. (VIN [XXX]) ON JAN 2001, I REPORTED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER ABOUT THE FRONT END SUSPENSION WAS POPPING AND CRACKING WHEN YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS TIE ROD BUSHINGS AND LOWER ARM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STRAIGHT ANYMORE WHEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS. (SOMEWHAT BETTER @$577.00 / MILEAGE WAS 36430) ON 31 JAN 03, I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER, HERE IN MONTGOMERY, AL. (MILEAGE IS 51758) FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCE. (THE CAR'S STEERING LATELY SEEMED TO HAVE A LOT OF PLAY) ON THIS DATE, AT APPROX 9:30 AM, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MONTGOMERY SERVICE CENTER ([XXX] / SERVICE MANAGER/ PHONE NR. 334-281-2886) INFORMING ME THAT THE "RACK AND PINION " STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ASAP, AS THIS CONDITION GOOD BE A SAFETY FACTOR IN DRIVING THE CAR. HE SAID THE "WHOLE" RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS MOVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING TURNED, AN UNSAFE CONDITION. [XXX] ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN AND REPAIRED SEVERAL CHRYSLER PRODUCT VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. (PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY) CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS [XXX] SHOWED ME A CHRYSLER "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN": NR. 19-001-01/GROUP: STEERING/DATED 23 MARCH 2001. THIS ALSO COVERED VEHICLES FROM 1993-2001 CHRYSLER, DODGE, AND EAGLE. IF THIS STEERING PROBLEM AND CONDITION IS UN SAFE, WHY HASN'T CHRYSLER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR THE REPAIRS AT THEIR COST? (APPROX. $2400.00) DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE? YOUR INQUIRY INTO THIS MATTER WOULD BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. (NAMES AND REPAIR RECEIPTS TO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE MONTGOMERY AREA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ARE AVAILABLE) THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 51,758

WHEN MAKING TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE IS LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALER DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR POWER STEERING AND RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED DUE TO HEARING NOISES FROM STEERING WHEN DRIVING, ALSO THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED DUE TO STEERING NOISE.*JB

WHEN MAKING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *TT

FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS CRACKED AND WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. *AK REAR SWAY BAR BUSHING CRACKED CAUSING A RATTLE IN REAR SWAY BAR. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING LOOSENESS IN STEERING. *TT

STEERING RACK AND PINION BEGAN MAKING LOUD POP AND/OR CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD (<30 DEGREES F). LATER THE SAME WEEK, AFTER STARTING COLD CAR IN PARKING LOT, PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND LOST POWER ASSIST IN STEERING - WITH POWER STEERING DRIVE BELT SCREACHING. NARROWLY MISSED COLLISION WITH PARKED CAR. AFTER ENGINE IS WARMED UP 2 OR MORE MINUTES, STEERING SEEMS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. DEALER EVALUATION SAYS REPLACE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR AT COST OF $1868. TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT. DEALER INDICATES THAT EARLIER MODEL YEARS (93-95) HAD BUSHING REPLACEMENT KIT FOR ABOUT $15, BUT '96 MODEL REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF STEERING GEAR AT $1500 PARTS COST. TWO MONTHS AGO HAD LOOSE TIE ROD REPLACED - WHICH MIGHT BE RELATED. I WILL NOT DRIVE CAR WITH THIS CONDITION - FEARING STEERING FAILURE. BUT CANNOT SPEND $1800 TO FIX - NO AFTERMARKET STEERING GEAR IS AVAILABLE.*AK

BOTH STEEL LINES ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING RUPTURED, CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO SPRAY ONTO THE ENGINE, ALSO THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OTHER LINE RUPTURED ONE MONTH LATER. *JB

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO CRUISE INTO NEXT LANE WOULD HEAR A LOT OF SCRAPPING NOISES. HAD COME UPON A STOP AND WOULD HEAR A SCRAPPING NOISE FROM FRONT END. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED RACK AND PINION WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH STEERING.*AK

LARGE BOLTS HOLDING RACK AND PINION SHEARED OFF

LARGE BOLTS HOLDING RACK AND PINION SHEARED OFF

BUSHINGS ON RACK AND PINION NOT PRESENT (TWO EACH). REPAIRED 3 TIMES. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. COST TO REPLACE $6 BUSHINGS THIS TIME - $1200+, BECAUSE CHRYSLER NO LONGER SELLS JUST THE BUSHINGS - MUST BUY THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION. LOTS OF PLAY IN THE WHEEL AND HAS RUINED THE TIE RODS AND INNER BUSHINGS THREE TIMES. NO RECALLS? EVERY DEALER HAS THE RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY IN STOCK ( 3 TO 6 UNITS)!!! SOMETHING IS WRONG. *AK

RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AND TIE RODS ARE GONE . DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *JB

RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AND TIE RODS ARE GONE . DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *JB

RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AND TIE RODS ARE GONE . DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *JB

RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AND TIE RODS ARE GONE . DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *JB

THE COMPLETE STEERING MECHANISM AND ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE ROD NEEDED REPLACEMENT A SECOND TIME. NLM

THESE ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT NEVER SEEM TO BE CORRECTED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WHICH WERE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE FINALLY DECIDED TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WE GOT TIRED OF NO SERVICE. IN OCT OF 2000 WE HAD BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED. THE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPAIR. AS STATED EARLIER WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WILL PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE CHRYSLER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN.

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WHICH WERE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE FINALLY DECIDED TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WE GOT TIRED OF NO SERVICE. IN OCT OF 2000 WE HAD BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED. THE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPAIR. AS STATED EARLIER WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. WILL PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE CHRYSLER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN.

THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AND THE STEERING ROD BROKE. NLM

THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AND THE STEERING ROD BROKE. NLM

POWER STEERING BECAME QUITE DIFFICULT AT TIMES ... HARD TURNING WITHOUT POWER ASSIST ...DEALER WILL REPLACE RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH NEW RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY ON JANAURY 15, 2001 AT A COST TO ME OF $1,156 PLUS TAX ... THIS CAR IS NOT DRIVEN HARD BY ME OR MY WIFE (SENIOR CITIZENS) ... THIS APPEARS TO ME TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FOR THE GEAR ASSEMBLY TO FAIL AFTER ONLY 57,000 MILES. *AK

SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I AM ON THE FOURTH POWER STEERING PUMP. THE INNER TIE ROD END WHERE ABOUT TO FALL OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. THE STEERING STARTED HANGING UP HERE LATELY AND THE SHOP FOUND THE RACK AND PINION BAD. NOW YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END ON THIS CAR! LAST WEEK THE DIPSTICK BROKE OFF IN THE TUB. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT AND THEY REPLACED IT . THESE ITEMS SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT ON A CAR NO OLDER THAN THIS CAR IS. I REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE OR STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I AM HAVING TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY AND AM INCONVIENCED. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER.

SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I AM ON THE FOURTH POWER STEERING PUMP. THE INNER TIE ROD END WHERE ABOUT TO FALL OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. THE STEERING STARTED HANGING UP HERE LATELY AND THE SHOP FOUND THE RACK AND PINION BAD. NOW YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END ON THIS CAR! LAST WEEK THE DIPSTICK BROKE OFF IN THE TUB. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT AND THEY REPLACED IT . THESE ITEMS SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT ON A CAR NO OLDER THAN THIS CAR IS. I REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE OR STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I AM HAVING TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY AND AM INCONVIENCED. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER.

AFTER TURNING INTO A SIDE STREET, I STOPPED WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I TRIED TO BACK UP, ONLY TO DISCOVER I HAD NO STEERING. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A SHOP, I LEARNED THAT THE BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF OF THE RACK. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

I TURNED INTO A SIDE STREET TO TURN AROUND WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. WHEN I TRIED TO BACK UP, I DISCOVERD I HAD NO STEERING. AFTER I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO A SHOP, I LEARNED THAT THE BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF OF THE RACK. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.*AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT AND BECOME HARD TO MANAGE, THIS WAS DUE TO BAD RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

PE99031; BUSHING THAT HOLDS TRACK ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED ,ALMOST FEELS THAT POWER STEERING GOES TO MAUNAL STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD WHILE DRIVNG AT ANY SPEED, IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. ONE OF TIE ROD BUSHING WAS GONE, AND THE OTHER BUSHING WAS WORN OUT. *AK THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATES THAT IT IS UNUSUAL FOR THE TIE ROD TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND THINKS IT IS A DEFECT IN THE FRONT END THAT CAUSED IT. *YH

THE INNER TIE RODS, BUSHINGS AND THE STEERING GEAR FAILED CAUSING EXTREME VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING. *MJS

THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE FELL OUT ALLOWING MUCH EXCESSSIVE LOOSENESS BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS. THE BUSHING ON THE LEFT INNER TIE ROD WAS BADLY WORN AND CLOSE TO FALLING OUT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR ACCURATELY. IF THIS IS SITUATION WAS NOT CORRECTED THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING COULD OCCUR IF THE TIE RODS BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. I HAD BOTH TIE RODS REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. STEERING IS NOW SATISFACTORY.

TOE RODS REPLACED. *MJS

POWER STEERING SERVO FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING TO WONDER BACK AND FORTH. YH

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT THE VEHICLE MADE A METAL LIKE GRINDING SOUND AND A CLUNK. DEALER HAS REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING. SINCE REPAIRS, PROBLEM HAS NOT OCURRED. *AK *ML

REPLACED BOTH OUTER SWAY BAR LINKS, REPLACED RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END AND SLEEVE. *AK

EVER SINCE THE CAR HAS HAD 7,000 MILES ON IT THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM AT ARED LIGHT IT WILL REV. UP SHUDER THEN STALL IT STARTS RIGHTUP AGAIN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING OR THEY CLEANED THROTLE BODY ASSEMBELY,FIXED A VACUUM HOSE , ADJUSTED THE CODES I CALL THE CAR COMPANY EVEN HADE A CO-PIOLT IN THERE JUST GUESTING ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CAR WAS ONLY 1YEAR OLD AND SOME TIMES WHEN THE STALLING PROBLEM HAPPENS THE BRAKE PEDAL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK

STEERING RACK FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

THE RUBBER BUSHING THAT MOUNTS THE RACK IN PLACE HAS PREMATURELY WORE OUT IT IS NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR AS IT IS A NON-MOVING PART. WITH MY RUBBER BUSHING DRY ROTTING AND CRUMBLING APART IT ALOWS THE RACK TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL OVER TE STEERING OF THE CAR. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO TURN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE AS FAR AS NORMAL WHICH IF UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER COULD CAUSE A PERSONTO HAVE A HEAD ON COLISION OR TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOW NORMALLY I WOULD JUST HAVE THE CAR FIXED, BUT CHRYSLER HAS MADE SURE TO MAKE THAT ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE. ALL EARLIER YEARS YOU COULD BUY THE BUSHINGS FOR ABOUT $65.00 BUT IN 1996 THEY MADE IT ALL ONE PEASE SO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RACK AT A PRICE OF $970.00 JUST TO BUY THE PART. "NOT INCLUDING LABOR". WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER THEY AGREED WITH HOW REDICULOUS THIS WAS. IT IS EQUALL TO HAVING TO CHANGE YOU MOTAR BECAUSE YOUR MOTOR MOUNT WENT BAD. IF YOU WONDER WHY I SAY PREMATURELY CHRYSLER TOLD ME TO FIND AND AFTER MARKET PIECE TO FIX IT AND IT ISN'T EVEN OFFERED IN AFTER MARKET YET. IN CONCLUSION NOTHING MAY BE ABLE TO BE DONE TO HELP ME BUT THIS PART IS STILL BEING USED IN THE 1999 M-300,LHS,CONCORDE AND I AMAGINE IN THE INTREPED. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

A POPPING NOISE HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE ABOUT 12000 MILES. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FIND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN A CURE. AT 35500 MILES I INSISTED THAT THE FRONT END BE COMPLETELY CHECKED. THE FOUR FRONT CRADLE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. ADDITIONAL CHECKING REVEALED A LEFT FRONT AXLE THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS STILL DID NOT STOP THE NOISE. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED WITH ONLY MODERATE CHANGES IN THE NOISE. NOW A LEFT FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT ARE BEING REPLACED. I HAVE NO ASSURRANCE THAT THIS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I KNOW OF ONE OTHER CHRYSLER CONCORDE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED RACK AND PINION FAILURE IN THE PAST 30 DAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAVE ENCOURAGED HIM TO REPORT THIS TO THE NTSB. *AK

STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO CENTER AT 1/4 TURNS TO THE LEFT OVER A PERIOD OF 1000 MILES. COULD HEAR A THUMPING (LOOSE STEERING) WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS BACK AND FORTH.

WHILE DRIVING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASSIONS EXPERIENCED WATER PUMP FAILURE, AT APPROX. 65MPH, NOTICED HEAT GUAGE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, THEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN, DEALER KEPT VEHICLE FOR 12 DAYS BECAUSE PART WAS ON NAT'L BACK ORDER. *AK TIRE BLOW OUT AT 10,000 MILES AND REPLACED. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO O'RING FAILURE. SPARK PLUG FAILED.

THE MECHANISM IN THE VEHICLE THAT CONTROLS STEERING FELL APART. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK