NHTSA Complaint #10045266 — 2001 DODGE DURANGO

STEERING IS SPONGY AND EASILY AFFECTED BY ROAD CONDITIONS. EXAMPLE: DRIVING OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT IN THE ROAD THAT IS NOT PERFECTLY PERPENDICULAR TO DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC WILL CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN, SENDING THE VEHICLE OFF TRACK. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED LANES AS A RESULT OF THIS PHENOMENON. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, I HAVE MENTIONED THIS EVERY TIME TO THE SERVICE WRITER. UPON COMPLETION OF SERVICE I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING EVERY TIME: THIS IS NORMAL STEERING FOR A DURANGO. WE NOTICED THIS SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM REDWOOD CITY DODGE, IN REDWOOD CITY, CA. THEY ALSO SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THE SAME THING AS SWIFT DODGE. IT'S ALL HOGWASH: THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE AS THIS "FAILURE" OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *LA