2000 DODGE CARAVAN Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED FOR THE THIRD TIME. AFTER THE PREVIOUS FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

WHEN I TRIED TO PULL MY DODGE CARAVAN (2000) OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A HEAVY RAINING DAY, I FOUND THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. I COULD GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD, BUT COULD NOT TURN, OR COULD TURN ONLY VERY SLOWLY (I COULD HEAR THE WHEEL KIND OF MAKING CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN). AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY ON THE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO TURN SLOWLY SEVERAL TIME, THE STEERING FINALLY GOT BACK. I GOOGLED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, MOSTLY WITH A DODGE, BUT ALSO SOME OTHER CARS. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TC37VJLP6MD4POHVJ SINCE I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND MOSTLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I DON'T HAVE MUCH PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT IT USUALLY RETURNS NORMAL AFTER I MAKE SEVERAL SMALL TURNS IN THE PARKING LOT. BUT THIS MORNING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AFTER I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE WITH AN OVERNIGHT RAIN, AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL KIND OF STUCK AFTER I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, MAKING SEVERAL TURNS ON PURPOSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S STILL POURING OUTSIDE, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET THE STEERING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER WORK. SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER COULD HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THANKS!

DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP OF C270. THE POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, GENERATOR FAILED. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED TO RAIN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE HEATER FAN STOPPED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS, THE VEHICLE QUICKLY OVERHEATED, THE LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AND DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING BELT HAD DROPPED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVERY TIME IT RAINS EVEN A LITTLE BIT AND IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS MADE THE VEHICLE VERY UNRELIABLE. MERELY RECONNECTING THE BELT IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TODAY I WAS ON AN URBAN FREEWAY IN HEAVY DOWNPOUR. THE DOWNPOUR WAS SO HEAVY RAIN COULD BE SEEN RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TRAFFIC WAS WIDE SPREAD, BUT MOVING AT 45-50 MPH, DUE TO THE RAIN. MY WIPERS, AT THE HIGHEST SETTING, SLOW DOWN. CAR DINGS. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I TURN OFF THE DEFROSTER (AC AND VENTILATION), REDUCE WIPER SPEED SETTING, SWITCH FROM HEADLIGHTS TO RUNNING LIGHTS, ALL TO REDUCE ELECTRICAL LOAD. I THEN NOTICE THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. TRUE FEAR. THE FEAR WHICH WE DO NOT OFTEN ENCOUNTER. I SAFELY GOT THE VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY. NO FURTHER FAILURE OF SYSTEMS. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP I KNEW OF, WITH CAUTION LIGHTS ON. I THERE LEARNED THAT THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME OFF OF THE ENGINE, DUE TO THE RAIN. THE BELT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION, SO THEY SLID THE SAME BELT BACK ON. I WILL HAVE MY PREFERRED MECHANIC INSTALL AN "ANTI SLIP" TENSIONER, BELT, AND PULLEY THIS WEEKEND. THIS ISSUE, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPING OFF THE ENGINE IN RAIN AND SNOW, IS KNOWN TO CHRYSLER, AND KNOWN TO THE NHTSA. BUT IT WAS NOT KNOWN TO ME UNTIL IT THREATENED MY SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORISTS AROUND ME. IF I HAD BEGUN GOING AROUND A CURVE WHILE SWITCHING OFF ACCESSORIES, DRIVING ONE HANDED WITH A FAILED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEFORE I KNEW IT HAD FAILED, I COULD HAVE WRECKED. WHY ONE HANDED? BECAUSE I WAS TURNING OFF ACCESSORIES BECAUSE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS WRONG, BECAUSE THE WARNING THE CAR PROVIDED SUGGESTED THAT WAS WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING TO KEEP MY CAR FROM STALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHY NHTSA DECIDED THIS DID NOT MERIT A RECALL. THEY WERE WRONG. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MONEY (TO IMPLEMENT THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA WON'T SHARE) CAN FIX WHAT WENT WRONG TODAY. DON'T OPERATE A GEN III CHRYSLER MINIVAN WITHOUT A BELT UPGRADE. WE CANNOT CONTROL WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

Mileage: 80,500

AFTER DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL WATER PUDDLE I LOST POWER STEERING AND GENERATOR. IT WAGON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AND WAS VERY HAZARDOUS AS IT LEFT USONA BLIND CURVE IN THE RAIN. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE DRIVE BELT HAD COME OFF. IS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF IN THE RAIN CAUSING A LOSS IN POWER STEERING, AC (FOR WINDOW DEFOGGING), POWER (NO ALTERNATOR WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON DURING RAIN). WHEN IT SLIPPED OFF, THE ABILITY TO CORRECT FOR LOSS OF TRACTION DUE TO WATER WAS REDUCED DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP QUICKLY DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE AC COMPRESSOR. SLID OF THE INTERSTATE AND SLID DOWN THE MEDIAN. MULTIPLE OTHER INSTANCES OF BELT SLIPPING OFF (4 TIMES IN PAST 3 DAYS), THOUGH AT LOWER RATES OF SPEED. DODGE DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ALSO INTERESTING THAT THEY NOW SELL A UPGRADE KIT THAT CHANGES OUT THE TWO NON-GROOVED PULLEYS FOR GROOVED ONES AND ADD A BELT WITH GROOVES ON BOTH SIDES. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD ONLY FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN ENOUGH PEOPLE REPORTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

PURCHASED USED 2000 CARAVAN W/90,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2003 AND BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. PROBLEM: BELT SLIPS OFF WHEN IT RAINS, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO NOT WORK, MECHANIC SAYS IT CAN DESTROY ENGINE IF YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE W/BELT OFF. HAD BELT PUT BACK ON 5 TIMES. WON'T DRIVE WHEN IT'S WET OUT, PLAN TO PURCHASE THIS "KIT" NEEDED IN ORDER TO STOP BELT SLIPPING OFF. KIT IS EST. $600, PLUS LABOR COST. I KEEP WONDERING WHAT DID PRIOR OWNER DO FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPINDLE BROKE ON THE TIE ROD CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BUCKLE UNDERNEATH, AS A RESULT SHE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. FOUR PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THEY ALL SUFFERED INJURIES ON THEIR KNEES, BACK AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

I HAVE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH A 3.0L ENGINE. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF. THIS CAUSES THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND THE ALTERNATOR TO STOP CHARGING. THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. YOU LOSE CONTROL. THE MALFUNCTION WAS CORRECTED USING THE GATES MICRO V KIT. THIS INCLUDES A RIBBED BELT TENSIONER, RIBBED IDLER AND A DOUBLE SIDE SERPENTINE BELT. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF OFTEN , MORE WHEN DRIVEN OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER. MORE OFTEN IN WET WEATHER. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AUTOMATICALLY AND ALL YOUR OTHER FACTION. IT'S STARTED ABOUT YEAR AFTER GETTING VAN. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT SEEMED AS IF THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TENSION AND IDLE PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SHE PRESUMED WAS IN THE BRAKE AREA WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,830. UPDATED 4/30/10 *CN TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

Mileage: 138,830

2000 DODGE CARAVAN - BELT KEEPS COMING OFF DURING RAIN/SNOW -- THIS EFFECTS THE POWER STEERING MAKING THE VAN VERY HARD TO STEER --- WE HATE DRIVING IT WHEN IT'S DOING TO RAIN/SNOW -- THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VAN ---- MAKE DODGE FIX IT --- SO FAR THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BUT INSTALLING NEW BELTS/TENSIONER --- WHICH EVERY 2-3 WEEKS IS EXPENSIVE ALONG WITH TOWS --- PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 126,000

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AT 25 MPH AND THEN YIELDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A SWOOSHING NOISE AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB

Mileage: 89,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING BELT DETACHED SEVEN TIMES. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TO FIVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD ON EACH OCCASION. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

Mileage: 55,000

I WAS DRIVING 200 CARAVAN ON A SURFACE STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL I HAD TO TURN. I PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LATER THAT EVENING IN THE RAIN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF AGAIN. AT THIS TIME IT WAS DARK AND I WAS ON A HIGHWAY. I REPLACED THE BELT WITH AN OLD SPARE I KEEP IN THE VAN AND I MADE IT HOME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEED, THE FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 70,187

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE.

Mileage: 100,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN MAY OF 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND IN JANUARY OF 2004 THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2004, THE STEERING WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE AGAIN REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2004. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V480000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRINGS, HOWEVER WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2004 IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO ,COMPLAINED ABOUT CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING, AND REPLACED CCLOCKSPRING . IN ADDITION, REPLACED CANISTER DUE TO LEAKING. *AK

Mileage: 34,875

I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE STOP AS THE WHEEL TURNED IN. THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS LAST INSPECTED IN JULY 2005 (VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION) AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE TIE ROD BROKE AT THE TAPERED STUD. THIS DID RESULT IN A LOST OF STEERING. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE UNBROKEN DRIVERS SIDE OUTER TIE ROD.*JB

Mileage: 108,667

THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF MY VAN 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THIS IS A FAMILY VAN AND DRIVEN DAILY WITH 5 CHILDREN IN IT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT OF MANY CARAVAN OWNERS. THERE ARE SITES ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 83,500

DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH HER 2 LITTLE GIRLS. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BRAKES FAILED AND STEERING LOCKED UP. WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT AND HIT TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO BRAKES IN THE VAN. *AK VAN. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 67,946

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ONLY POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, THE FRONT AXLE AND CALIPER PADS/ROTORS BROKE SPILLING BALL JOINT INTO THE STREET. *BF THERE WERE ALSO SCREECHING SOUNDS, ODOR(S), VIBRATIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE A/C FAILED.

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ON THE RACK AND PINION. AS A RESULT, POWER STEERING FAILED. *AK *LA

Mileage: 52,000

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD AT 20 MPH POWER STEERING HOSE SPLIT, LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO FIX IT.*AK WHEN THE HOSE SPLIT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE OEM HOSE WAS FLIMSY, THEREFORE HE REPLACED IT WITH AN AFTERMARKET HOSE. *NM

Mileage: 36,100

THE STUD THAT FASTENS THE MAIN BELT TENSIONER/ IDLER BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOST OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE MINIVAN. LOCAL DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT HE SELLS A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE DUE TO FAILURE AND "KNEW THAT PART NUMBER BY HEART" PLS INVESTIGATE THESE STUDS SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE AND THE RESULTING LOST OF CONTROL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 200 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER, THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STATION CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LATER COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE AND BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AS WELL. CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE AND PICKED UP THE TENSIONER OFF THE GROUND. CONSUMER STILL HAS BROKEN PARTS AND PLANS TO HOLD THEM FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT ON VEHICLE HAD SNAPPED.*MR

Mileage: 36,000

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. HOWEVER, DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

THE SERPINTINE BELT JUST CAME OFF MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH AT THE TIME AND WAS LUCKY THAT THE BELT DID NOT WRAP AROUND ANY OF THE COMPONENTS.

Mileage: 59,997

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PARKING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST STEERING. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED STEERING BOLT ON GROUND.*AK

THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO LOCK. *JB

THE BEARINGS BROKE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE REPLACED.*JB

Mileage: 38,250

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING HARD AND WHEN TURNING AND NOT MOVING, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEEING, DEALER BALANCED FRONT TIRES FROM A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE STEERING.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING HARD AND WHEN TURNING AND NOT MOVING, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEEING, DEALER BALANCED FRONT TIRES FROM A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE STEERING.*JB

STEERING SEIZED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE "RACK AND PINION WAS BINDING". THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE INABILITY TO STEER AT SPEEDS, OTHER THAN PARKING SPEEDS, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AS THIS STEERING FAILURE IS SPONTANEOUS, AND THE ETIOLOGY UNKNOWN, IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, DR. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

STEERING SEIZED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE "RACK AND PINION WAS BINDING". THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE INABILITY TO STEER AT SPEEDS, OTHER THAN PARKING SPEEDS, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AS THIS STEERING FAILURE IS SPONTANEOUS, AND THE ETIOLOGY UNKNOWN, IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, DR. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A SNAPPED STEERING WHEEL AT 12:00 POSITION. (COMPLAINT 631725) REPLACEMENT WHEEL (FROM JAN 2001) WAS SNAPPING AND CLICKING WHEN TURNING FOR WEEKS. ON SEPT 3, 2001 THE WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND NOW SLIDES 1/2 INCH UP AND DOWN.*AK

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP ON NAD-40,REQ. 18445:CAG. I RECEIVED A REPORT FROM QUALI-TECH, INC. (MATERIALS ANALYSIS LABORATORY) REGARDING THE TESTING OF MY STEERING WHEEL THAT SNAPPED AT THE 12:00 O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE I WAS PUSHING ON BRAKE AND PULLING WHEEL TOWARD ME BEFORE IMPACT. THE REPORT STATES "THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED AT A LOCATION WHERE THE ALUMINUM CORE CONTAINS A HIGH AMOUNT OF POROSITY AND DENDRITIC SEGREGATION. THE CENTER SIXTY PERCENT OF THE CROSS-SECTION EXHIBITED THE POROSITY. THE PRESENCE OF THE POROSITY AND DENDRITIC SEGREGATION WOULD HIGHLY REDUCE THE STRENGTH OF THE CENTER ALUMINUM SECTION AND CAUSE FAILURE TO OCCUR AT REDUCED IMPACT LOADS AS COMPARED TO A SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH DOES NOT CONTAIN THESE MATERIAL DEFECTS." MY QUESTION IS HOW DO I GET THE X-RAYS OF THIS STEERING WHEEL DURING ITS MANUFACTRING AND HOW MANY OTHER DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEELS ARE OUT THERE?*AK

WHILE DRIVING VAN ON INTERSTATE 95 IN CONNECTICUT, I FELL ASLEEP FOR A FEW SECONDS AND DRIFTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND THEN HIT 9 CHAINLINK FENCE POSTS IN A ROW. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPING I WOKE AND BRACED MY SELF FOR IMPACT BY PUSHING ON THE BRAKE AND PULLING ON THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARD ME. BEFORE IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL SNAPPED AT THE 12: O'CLOCK POSITION AND I BENT THE TWO SEPARATED TOWARD ME LIKE TWO BLUNT SPEARS. ON IMPACT (THE VAN RODE UP ON STEEL GUIDE WIRES AND WAS SLAMMED TO A STOP BY THE FIRST STEEL POLE HOOKING THE FRONT AXLE) THE FOUR INCHES OF SLACK ON THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED THE BLUNT SPEAR TO CRASH INTO MY CHEST CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. SIX DAYS IN HOSPITAL WITH BROKEN STERNUM, BROKEN RIBS, BLEEDING, COLLAPSED RIGHT LUNG. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE BEING 52 YEARS OLD, 190 LBS AND NOT VERY STRONG. I AM HAVING THE WHEEL ANALYSED BY A PROFESSIONAL TO SEE IF THE METAL CORE WAS FLAWED OR THE CORE WAS NOT THICK ENOUGH. HOW CAN I GET THE SPECS FOR THIS INNER CORE TO COMPARE TO THE FINDINGS? IF THE WHEEL HAD NOT BROKE, I WOULD HAVE NO INJURIES.*AK

LAST FOUR MONTHS CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH STEERING SYSTEM. CONSUMER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP EIGHT TIMES SINCE SHE PURCHASED IT IN NOVEMBER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THEN, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, AND THEY WERE FIXING VEHICLE AT THIS MOMENT. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH STEERING COLUMN CONTINUALLY POPPING/CLICKING WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. *AK *ML