Rack and pinion broke after I noticed a loss of control in steering my car. Fortunately, I was not driving when the device snapped.

- Marriottsville, MD, USA

While driving on Suburban streets in light traffic, there was a sudden whirring noise under the hood followed by a loss of power steering. Under higher speeds or more traffic congestion, loss of power steering could easily have caused an accident. Power steering loss was caused by a sudden loss of power steering fluid that was leaking from the steering gear. I have not taken the vehicle in for repair yet. Due to fire hazard from leaking fluid and no power assist in the steering, vehicle will have to be towed.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

I purchased my 1999 Chrysler 300M in April 2001 it had $24000 miles. Within the 6 months I noticed a problem with the rack and pinion steering and took it back to the dealership I purchased it from to get it replaced. About 6 months ago I started having problems with the rack and pinion system again but everytime I took it to be diagnosed they kept telling me to changed the tires or have the tires balanced or I need a wheel alignment. The problem continued until last weekend Dec 17, 2005 when the entire wheel broke off from the axle, had it not happened as my wife was about to pull out of our apartment complex it would have happen on the highway which is about a 1000 feet from our apartment which is where she was headed. I've been reading the email boards and I understand a lot of Chrysler 1999 300M are having the similar problems. I started noticing it when my car was traveling about 65 to 70 mph and the wheels would vibrate, and when going over bumps there would be a clumping nose coming from the front wheels. Also when making turns it seems the wheel would loose traction when it's wet.

- Chamblee, GA, USA

1. normal everyday driving 2. rack and pinion steering unit failed--lots of play in steering and loud clunking noise when driving. 3. replaced rack and pinion unit--out of warranty--$1195.72 to repair!

- Richardson, TX, USA

I have a 1999 Chrysler 300M. On July 23, 2005 I was informed by the local Chrysler dealership that the rack & pinion was badly rusted, and that one of the rods was completely broken! this car only had 62,000 at the time and was not used a a commuting car, and was treated very well. Simply put, this should not have happened, given the age of the car and it's use. In addition, the service manager that I dealt with said that they had seen several 300M's come in with the exact same problem. I do not live in a climate where we get snow, thus no salt on the roads, and I am not near the ocean. Based on this, as well as discussions with the dealership, it appears that this is a defect, one that cost me $2300, conveniently 1 month after my warranty expired. Also, according to the dealership, the rusting occurred over a long period of time and would have affected tire ware. This explains why I went through 4 tires in the past year. Luckily, this problem didn't cause me to get into an accident, but this potentially could end up being life threatening for someone else!

- Houston, TX, USA

I have approximately 69000 miles on my 1999 Chrysler 300M. As a retiree I was looking forward to owning it for at least 10 years before considering purchase of a new car. My problems with the 300 started in Jan of '99 inoperable window motors a ) 1/28/99 957 miles drivers side B) 3/30/99 3792 miles right rear C) 6/7/99 6301miles right front D) 8/01/01 27364 miles left rear indow also crack in dash all of the above were under warranty. The following were not under warranty 1) 7/25/02 40046 miles transmission sensors (wouldn't shift properly) 2) 2/14/03 about 46000 miles drivers side window again. I replaced the motor 3) about 4/03 47000 miles, right rear window motor caput. Still caput. 4) about 50000 miles, 2 of 6 radio speakers do not work 5) 6/03/04 58528 miles significant shimmy after new tires and alignment and balance. Still shimmies. 6) 6/19/04 58561 air coditioner compressor fails my problem is I guess I don't complain enough. I was prompted to do so this time after surfing the net and found I was not alone in this regard. Perhaps some good will come of my plight, if not for me, someone else. This was the 1st and last Chrysler daimler product I will own.

- Ft. Myers, FL, USA

1999 Chrysler 300M with approximately 86,000 miles on it requires replacement of entire rack and pinion steering system and inner tie rods. I note on other internet sites that this might be a design defect for this car platform.

- Las Flores, CA, USA

While driving at any speed steering wheel felt loose, and made a loud noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, mechanic determined replaced the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Consumer indicated that warranty expired, and the problem recurred.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

This a complaint in regard to an article I read about a law suit with the Chrysler company in reguards to steering problems with their LH series cars. I own a 1999 Chrysler 300M and for about the last year there has been rattling noises but just noises then in August of 2002 I started to get excessive play in the steering. I stopped driving the vehicle until I could get it fixed but in Feb 2004 I was in an accident in my pick up truck so I had to start using the vehicle to go back and forth to work. I put 200 miles a day on it. I have just bought a used steering rack because I have determined that to be the cause, but after reading about the article I don't think I should use it and as far as I can tell there is really no suitable replacements. What am I supposed to do not drive a car I am still paying on because it is unsafe!!! I feel Chrysler should have to recall these vehicles!!!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Failure of power steering rackand pinion.

- Virignia Beach, VA, USA

Power steering rack falure at only 70,000 miles. I feel that this is way to premature for this falure. My cost, almost $1,400. Chrysler did not offer to help at all.

- Coventry, CT, USA

Consumer noticed loose play in steering wheel. Vehicle was serviced, rack and pinion steering wore out.

- Granville, OH, USA

On 9/16/2002 tie rods had to be replaced. Also, rack and pinion had to be replaced.vehicle is currently at dealership.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

My rack and pinion failed. The replacement out of warranty was preceeded by very sloppy steering and knocking in the suspension. This is a major problem for chrylser LH cars but is not being addressed by Chrysler outside of warranty. There are numerous complaints on 300M internet forum sites about this issue. This problem manifest itself in wandering steering and ultimately complete steering failures. Surely this is a safety issue that Chrysler should be made responsible for especially for those that do not want to pay $1200 to get the unit replaced. This procrastination, due to cost, will insure that the wandering and knocking will ultimately result in a steering failure and accident. The dealership fixed the problem. I contacted the Chrysler main and regional offices to see if they would assist in the expediture to fix the problem. They declined.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Replaced steering--rack and pinion

- Brockton, MA, USA

At 35mph steering wheel will tighten up and it is hard to turn. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

When making a left or right turn, steering wheel locks up, causing loss of control of vehicle due to a problem with rack and pinion.

- Maysville, NC, USA

When the steering breaks and the car is not safe to drive you should know about it.

- Longboat Key, FL, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA