The rubber bushings (under the bolts) that connect the rack and pinion to the chassis of the automobile eroded and disintegrated making the bolts loose and rendering the rack and pinion to become very loose. The bolts could have broken or snapped off and the entire rack and pinion could have fallen off, maybe at a high rate of speed causing a major accident. The rack and pinion is now damaged and will have to be replaced.

- Greeley, CO, USA

Rack and pinion steering broke while driving. Vehicle has been repaired, and manufacturer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

- Rochester, NY, USA

While driving at any any speed steering wheel would shake and had too much play. Vehicle taken to dealer, steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Steering gets loose and making a clunking noise. Over bumps vehicle moves around alot. Consumer has repaired rack and pinion a total of 3 times. Driver's side is the most recent. Mehanic has seen5 different vehicles in the past few months.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

Rack & pinion are major problem which I need manufacturer to consider looking into dont have the money for the car a week after I bought it started falling apart suspension was lose car is a complete danger zone.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

Was backing out of parking spot when I felt a small thump. Lost all steering capability. Dealer salvaged rack and pinion (said bolts holding it to firewall completely sheered off...I left instructions to save the part but of course, the parts disapeared.) dealer also refused to let vehicle leave without new tie rods and control linkages which they said were damaged (could be true.) my brother is a mechanic with over 25 years in the business and has never seen anything like this before. I've lost confidence in my ability to keep this vehicle running safely, regadless of how much money gets sinked into it. Can you imagine driving at 55mph on a slow right hand curve and this item failing, sending you into on-coming traffic" kids in the car"

- Gurnee, IL, USA

Defective part unable to be fixed upon complaints to dealership as there were no leaks until it went completely out. Serious safety concern! no safety defect.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

When first starting vehicle and turning wheels there is a loud scraping sound coming from front end. Also, steering rack and pinion needs to be replaced.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

Steering wheel became hard to turn at slow speed (5 mph) and would not turn at all when vehicle came to a stop.

- Richmond, VA, USA

When it was cold out we heard a chunk noise from the front under the car when the steering wheel was turned in either direction. This went away when it warmed up in about 5 minutes. We took I T to the dealer and he told us it was the rack and pinion and it needed to be replaced. We did not beleive that this was an item that should ever have to be replaced, especailly at $1300, so we contacted the manufacturer and we received a letter telling us they could not help because it was out of warranty. I asked a salesman how could a 4 year old car have to have the rack and pinion replaced and he told me it was quite common.

- Aurora, OH, USA

Consumer states that a popping noise could be heard while turning the steering wheel, the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times, however no problems were found, now that the vehicle has 24000 miles on and is out of warranty, the dealer is stating that the rack and pinion steering needs replaced.

- Hamden, CT, USA

Rack and pinion steering was making noise. Then, took vehicle to repair shop and it was repaired.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

The two inner tie rod bolts sheered at the steering gear side of the tie rods, causing total steering control loss of the vehicle, the bolts were removed and replaced, the original rack assembly was also replaced.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

Rack & pinion: When steering wheel is turned back and forth a loud metallic noise is heard. Dealer says the whole rack and pinion must be replaced. Many tsbs on you site. Transmission (automatic) when it shifts gears there is a shutter. Again many tsbs on your site. I spoke to the reps at diamler, they will record my complait. Meanwhile dealer said approx. $4000 to repair all.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

There was a thunk noise under car that consumer could hear through steering. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was a bushing in the rack and pinion steering.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The rubber bushings that hold the rack and pinion power steering to the frame have worn out and this makes the steering of the car extremely loose, (excessive play). I have been told that the repair costs between $800 and $1000.

- Conyers, GA, USA

In cold weather (under 40 F) after the first couple of years the steering makes loud banging noises when wheels are turned for the first 10 minutes after startup. Cause: Rack & pinion bushings dry out. Ultimate risk: Steering will loosen over time. Cure: On 1996 model only, bushings are not replaceable. Entire rack must be replaced at a cost of $1200. Poor design means 1) potential for steering failure 2) warm-weather drivers won't have any warning 3) price discourages repair. This could turn into a problem as these cars age.

- Kendall Park, NJ, USA

No summary

- Crown Point, IN, USA

The front tie rods and the bushings in the rack and pinion failed. The steering at first became very sluggish and then the steering wheel got to where it would not return to center. It got so bad that it would not trigger the turn signal switch. We first had the tie rods replaced and the car aligned but that did not take care of the problem. We contacted several repair shops and then were told that the entire rack assembly would have to be replaced. We contacted champion Chrysler in independence, mo and were told that there was an "upgrade kit" available to replace the bushings in the rack. We purchased the kit but no one would take on the repair other than the dealer, so we were forced to have it repaired by the dealer.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

Loss of steering due to poorly designed rack and pinion bushings that mount the assembly to the chassis, 90 degrees of excessive amount of play in the steering causing.crashed into the a hill side at 15 miles perhour.vehicle is impossible to drive in a straight line, excessive wear on tires.most important, possible life threating defect.vehicle had this since I bought it, not as bad but gradually deteriorated with time.$1500 to repair, the bushings cannot be replaced since they are pressing into the assembly. Please advise!!!

- San Jose, CA, USA