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.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

1996 Concorde rack and pinion failed and been replaced at least 3 times. ***** the transaxle leaked, the battery was replaced, because the vehicle would not start and the multi-function switch was replaced.

- Altaville, CA, USA

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.

- Pine Mountain, GA, USA

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.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

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.

- Culpeper, VA, USA

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.

- Holden, MA, USA

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 to $2000 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.

- Milford, OH, USA

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. This has been a nightmare of replacemnt costs.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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.

- Allen, MI, USA

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.

- Kennett Square, PA, USA

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 / 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) 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).

- Montgomery, AL, USA

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.

- Yelm, WA, USA

When making a turn in either direction, vehicle was very hard to steer. Dealer determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

- Warren, MI, USA

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.

- Corcoran, MN, USA

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.

- Whitney, TX, USA

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.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Large bolts holding rack and pinion sheared off

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Large bolts holding rack and pinion sheared off

- San Francisco, CA, USA

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.

- Woodinville, WA, USA

Rack and pinion bushings are worn out and tie rods are gone. Dealer has inspected, and will repair vehicle at owner's expense.

- Duluth, GA, USA