Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
95V088000CHRYSLER CORPORATIONfrom 07/01/1993 to 07/01/1994V (Vehicle)29304307/17/1995ODICHRYSLER GROUP LLC05/12/199505/18/1995
Defect SummaryWhile making a turn, the extra keys on a vehicle operator's key ring can become temporarily lodged in the screw access holes in the back cover of the steering wheel.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can hamper the steering wheel return orcause the ignition to be turned off, resulting in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the steering wheel back cover with a redesigned cover.
NotesSystem: steering wheel and column.vehicle description: light duty trucks and club cab trucks.if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time, please contact chrysler at1-800-853-1403. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
96V230000CHRYSLER CORPORATIONfrom 07/01/1993 to 07/31/1995V (Vehicle)47500002/07/1997ODICHRYSLER GROUP LLC11/18/199611/27/1996
Defect SummaryIf the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the lower steering shaft in the upper shaft break, the lower steering shaft can separate from the upper shaft.
Consequence SummaryIf the lower steering shaft separates from the upper shaft, loss of vehicle control can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Corrective SummaryDealers will add a restraining sleeve to the intermediate steering shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft moving in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.
NotesOwner notification:chrysler plans to notify owners in late january 1997.note:owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
19109708/15/19976088962Customer may complain of steering wander. *nlm01/11/2000
19039905/07/1999190194606349Conditions with steering slow to return to center. *tt08/17/1999
CH19049505/01/199543057Unknown11/01/1995
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
19139711/28/19976088972This bulletin involves lower steering column noise and/or mino lower steering column movement. *nlm01/11/2000
19029503/01/199539971Clunk or rattle felt in steering wheel/column when driving over rough surfaces. *tw11/01/1995

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STEERING
DP00002CHRYSLER GROUP LLC01/20/200004/24/2000STEERING COLUMN FIRE
 Alleges that the poor design of the ignition switch assembly and//or the key cylinder assembly in the model year 1991-2000 vehicles may cause the steering column to catch fire
STEERING - COLUMN
DP03002CHRYSLER GROUP LLC05/07/200307/22/2003STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
 Mr. larry a. sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
RQ97012CHRYSLER GROUP LLC09/25/1997STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN95V088000
 An extra key on their key rings became lodged in the bolt access holes in the back cover of the steering wheel

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
1
 Steering shaft disintegrated. mjs
05/04/19980
 While driving vehicle about 40 mph consumer lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle did not have steering wheel control, and vehicle kept going straight, forcing consumer to step on the brakes. at last vehicle had to be towed. dealer was contacted. *ak
04/08/19971
 Consumer 's brother was driving truck when approaching a road block with no warning, he lost control of truck, ran into back of a dump truck. consumer's truck exploded and driver burned to death. there is an open investigation (ea-96-018). consumer says state is partially responsible due to fact that the road block set up did not meet requirements as it was. consumer was very upset at this time, and was not able to give further information. consumer did not give phone number, but asked that she also receive a complaint form, form was mailed. *ak
01/01/19951
 Lost control due to steering failure, come down a mountain, impact 12:00 position, speed 45 mph, vehicle flip over and rolled towing 6,000 trailer. tt
01/20/1995
 Vehicle pulls left and right, replace ft rotor 1st time/2nd time ft/r rotor/caliper/axle, problem still exist. tt
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
01/08/2003
 A faulty steering box caused the vehicle to wander all over the road. *nlm
10/16/19961
 Possible failure of steering shaft, prior to recall notice, may have caused loss of control of vehicle (accident) in which drive sustained skull fracture, large laceration on left arm as a result of the crash and was unconscious at the scene.
12/01/199712/01/1997
 When purchased used truck in 12/97 noticed that the steering was very loose. mentioned to used dealer and said that all trucks have loose steering. not content with that answer took to chrysler/dodge shop to have it checked out. the shop replaced the tie rods, shocks, and trac bar on the front suspension. told me that the steering gear box was worn. told them not to replace that becasue i wanted to investigate for more info. after work was completed, still a lot of steering play. not satisfied. need to replace the steering gear box, but i need to know if this is going to be covered by dodge or not. local dodge shop says they will not cover it.
110/01/1998
 Steering gear box failed.
 At 8,00 miles the steering gear box went out and 6,000 the shaft went out . please describe .*ak
08/08/19957
 Steering gear box failure. *ak
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN
01/06/1996
 When in accident slow speed at 15 mph the pitman arm attachment to steering completely broke off. please describe details. tt
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR
 At 8,00 miles the steering gear box went out and 6,000 the shaft went out . please describe .*ak
06/10/1996109/01/1994
 While driving vehicle, steering wheel shaft seperated. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
07/26/1997101/01/1995
 I'm having problems with excessive steering play and wander, which causes a need for constant steering corrections to avoid wandering into other traffic lanes when driving at highway speeds. the problem worsens when either passing or being passed by large trucks, buses, or rv's and causes a tendency to wander or drift towards the lane of the other vehicle. these situations are further worsened and cause dangerous driving conditions when towing a trailer. this can cause unsafe situations of steering over- correction due to the excessive play and wander in the steering system. the excessive steering play and steering wander causes driver fatigue due to the constant need for steering correction when driving for extended periods of time and can lead to dangerous driving conditions like mentioned earlier when being passed by large trucks or rv's. the steering gear and track bar where found to be defective and replaced under the vehicles manufacture warranty @ 32,040 miles. within 10,000 miles the before mentioned excessive steering play and wander returned. this problem is well known amoung 1994-current dodge 2500/3500 ram pickups with the cummins diesel engine option. chrysler/dodge acknowledges this problem since there is a tsb out to specifically troubleshoot customer complaints of excessive steering play and wander. chrysler/dodge has revised the steering gear several times due to the high incidence of failures leading to excessive steering play and wonder. chrysler has yet to fix this problem which causes unsafe and potentially fatal driving conditions. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES
03/02/1997107/01/1995
 Now my air contioner has a musty smell and does not blow out cold air,
 Owner states that while driving vehicle it violently shakes due tie rod caming apart. *ak
01/21/1996
 The pitman arm thats connected to gear box broke, total loss of steering. tt
STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM
08/01/2000210/01/1998
 Wheel hub spindle on both front wheels will strip all threads off if you remove them to get to the front u-joints. i spoke with mechanics at local dodge dealer and they said this happens all the time. their parts dept. keep this part in stock at all times due to high demand. when asked if dodge has advised them how to correct this continuing problem they stated no. the problem is, if you start to loosen the nut that holds the hub in place it will just sit there and go round and round stripping the threads. my mechanic was told , when he inquired about this that this ia common among the 1994 and 1995 models. the cost to replace is between 100.00 and 170.00 per side,just because i believe the threads are to soft on the hubs and they strip upon loosening. i can understand these things happening from time to time but based on the comments from the local dealers mechanics and parts person this is common. i do not think this right and i believe the hubs are defective. thanks for listening.....ron smith. *ak
10/20/19951
 Replaced steering knuckle. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - LINK - DRAG - CONNECTION
08/08/2000
 While driving 60 mph drag link broke, causing loss of steering. this caused driver to slam into a guardrail body work damage has already been repaired. there was still a problem with steering. please provide any further information.*ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
07/18/1996
 Consumer states that the tie rod end bar broke loose from the driver's side wheel which caused driver to lose control of the steering and hit another vehicle.*ak
08/30/1995
 Welds connecting tie rods to frame failed, total loss of steering. tt
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
01/01/1998111/01/1997
 Steering gear box failed, causing leak.
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
07/27/20011
 Recall 96 v 230 000/steering column: vehicle expereinced a loss of control while driving at low speed. dealer was notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under that recall due to vin. *ak
10/03/20001
 While driving the consumer felt the underneath side of the steering column getting very hotagainst knee, consumer noticed a melted spot on the plastic which covers the steering column, the consumer feels this should fall under recall 00v-135, however the dealer has denied his claim. *slc
08/30/20001
 While driving steering wheel locked up where manifold fell off on top of the frame, jaming the steering shaft. *ak
07/28/20001
 While traveling at 24 to 30 mph consumer tried to turn and steering wheel was locked. consumer tried to brake there were no brakes. vehicle hit a pole, and airbags didn't deploy. when consumer contacted dealer for a recall letter received. dealer had no parts available. consumer felt this accident was caused because recall problem was not corrected. *ak while waiting for recall parts to arrive at dealer for steering wheel and column the steering wheel locked up causing accident. *yh
107/01/1994
 None
 While driving steering column came loose due to a missing bushing. this made it hard to steer the vehicle. dealerhas replaced bushing. *ak
1
 Steering shaft disintegrated. mjs
1
 Steering column experiencing noise when turning & braking. *yc
08/02/19951
 Noise in steering column.
 96v230000, steeering column; the recall notice was received, and dealer where the vehicle was purchased refuses to do the work. another states that it will be two months before they can look at the vehicle to do the work. consumer requested the parts to do the work himselff because he utilizes the vehicle every day, and his request was refused. *ak
01/19/1998
 Received notice (96v230000), steering column shaft; vehicle involved in an accident. owner refused have repairs done. insurance company totaled vehicle. a body shop brought, repaired & sold vehicle. new owner received recall notices & took vehicle to dealer. each time, mechanic called zone representative & was informed will not repair vehicle under recall. manufacturer also agreed w/zone representative. *ak
11/11/1997
 Received recall notice (#97v230000) over 2 1/2 months ago. contacted dealer & was informed had no parts. the parts needed are on back order. owner has been calling back to check on status of parts, but so far dealer did not know anything. *ak
2
 Steering failed, causing instability.
05/08/1997
 Recall #96v230000, after having steering shaft replaced, consumer is experiencing steering problems. steering wheel is off center. *ak
03/07/1997
 Vehicle under recall (#96v230000); dealer had no parts for 2 months; dealer said would notifiy when parts are in but so far nothing; owner is upset, he cannot use vehicle to tow horses; wants problem repaired as soon as possible. *ak
101/17/1996
 After having recall repair work done on steering column, the steering wheel shakes and there is some vibration. recall#96v230000. *ak
02/13/1997
 Contacted 3 different dealers all have had excuses to why they can not do the recall and this consumer has not been able to set an appointment. please describe details.
09/15/19967
 Front steering is very loose, owner feels that it was designed poorly.
11/01/199606/01/1995
 Was driving and the steering column came apart from the firewall *ak
10/22/1996
 When making left and right turns the steering column makes a loud sound, the steering column shaft has been replaced, pe95-004. *ak
108/29/1995
 Steering column failed. *dh
 While driving, lost steering capability, when pin in collapsible steering column broke, resulting in loss of control, went into ditch. *ak
 While driving, at approx. 5mph, suddenly steering column disconnected from steering gear box, rendering steering capability inoperative. *ak
02/20/1996
 Extra keys on key ring will get jamed in the screw access holes, contacted dealer about possible recall, but they said this particular truck is not involved.
 Steering wheel and column failure. tt
08/01/1995
 Steering wheel column has feel of clunking like something moving around; hard to explain; concerned that something may be loose inside column. tt
05/16/19951
 Steering wheel is not straight/sits on an angle. *ak