When even the smallest amount of street water, I.e. water-filled pothole, curb water drainage, etc gets splashed up onto the vehicle underside the power sterring assist disappears for a short interval, 10 to 20 seconds. During that period I, a 200 lb man with reasonable body strength, can barely continue turning the steering wheel. This has happened on several occassions during the past three years. I have almost crashed into the curb three times already. I am aretired mechanical engineer with extensive "do it yourself" experience and I perceive that water is splashing up on the serpantine belt and the belt friction is changed enormously when water gets splashed on that belt. As far as I know there is no splash guard or deflector to protect the belt from water being splashed up by the right front tire. My engine is the largest displacement V6. I have had my belt tensioner checked and it is performing properly.

- W. Palm Beach, FL, USA

Vehicle has had momentarily lost power assist numerous times, there is a tsb out on this problem. Dealer has not repaired vehicle while under warranty.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

The power steering/power brakes have been locking/failing intermittently for the past year. Took the car to the shop in July of 2001 and was told the steering wheel problem was due to humidity and loose belts and the weather would improve the performance. Noticed that when the steering locked, I was driving the car between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Also, when steering wheel locked, power brakes would fail. Had to literally stand on brake pedal or turn off car ignition to stop car. Threw car in park and turned the ignition immediately to regain steering and brakes. Had no steering capability at all. This problem has happened about once every 2 months but seems to be getting more frequent with 3 failures in the past 2 months. Took car into dealer on 6/24/02 and they worked on it for a couple of days before deciding the problem was some part of the steering column. They could replicate the problem with the steering but not with the brakes. They replaced some component of the power steering and released the car 6/26/02. Picked up the car on 6/27/02. The next day, 6/28/02, both steering locked and brakes failed. Will have car towed to shop today. Both son and husband have also experienced this problem while driving. Son nearly hit a tree when steering locked. Said "check oil light " came on dash. Said the only way he could stop the car was the turn the ignition off while in drive. We had noticed the problem more when making a turn. Husband said the problem happened to him this past Friday (6/28/02) and he wasn't turning at all. We do not see "check engine" light flashing on when this problem occurs. We are all scared to drive the car because we are afraid it will stall or the steering wheel and power brakes will fail to work at high speed.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

While driving, consumer could smell smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming out of the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.

- Salinas, CA, USA

While driving the power steering went out, consumer pulled over and smoke started coming out, claim 25-5411-610.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

While driving, consumer could smell smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming out of the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.

- Salinas, CA, USA

While driving the power steering went out, consumer pulled over and smoke started coming out, claim 25-5411-610.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

While driving on highway heard a whiring noise. Then, power steering went out, consumer could not turn wheel with out excessive force. Consumer states no prior indication of a problem, no leaks of fluid, which is checked every 3000 miles, mechanic advised consumer that cables or lines were rusted and one was completely broken.

- Creete, IL, USA

Heard a noise while driving about 5 mph. Then, power steering went out. Pulled over, and had vehicle towed to dealer. Serpentine belt had too much tension and broke.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

I was driving down the road when I heard a loud pop and not more than ten seconds later I lost all power steering. I barely managed to steer my van into a parking lot on my right. Ourisman Dodge dealership in Virginia states that the serpentine belt tensioner was broken and serpentine belt borken. Also found power steering pump pully broken. They removed power steering pump and replaced the pully. Installed new serpentine belt and tensioner. Thank you.

- Washington, DC, USA

I was driving down the road when I heard a loud pop and not more than ten seconds later I lost all power steering. I barely managed to steer my van into a parking lot on my right. Ourisman Dodge dealership in Virginia states that the serpentine belt tensioner was broken and serpentine belt borken. Also found power steering pump pully broken. They removed power steering pump and replaced the pully. Installed new serpentine belt and tensioner. Thank you.

- Washington, DC, USA

While driving, the operator experienced total loss of power assisted steering. Mini-van became difficult to control. A very potentially dangerous situation. Luckily not a congested traffic area at the time or curvy road or snowy road. This is unusual since my vehicles are routinely well cared for. I have 2 other vehicles together totaling nearly 400,000 miles on original engines. Current diagnosis (vehicle still in shop), total power steering assembly failure (appx. $800).

- Maybrook, NY, USA

When driving through puddles at any speed, the power steering goes out. Dealer recently replaced belt tensioner, but this did not solve problem.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Power steering completely went out momentarily. Dealer said "nothing wrong."

- Bloomington, IN, USA

Numerous times over the last (3) or (4) months the harness on the integrated child seat became so tight around child that owner had to use the auxiliary release. Air conditioner has given consumer problems on 4 different occasions. ABS light illuminated, brakes were noisy and were replaced. Power lock failure. Power steering problem, consumer did not specify.

- Warrenton, VA, USA