NHTSA Complaint #10121965 — 2002 JEEP WRANGLER

STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AND AFTER REPEATED MOVEMENT THE TILT STEERING LEVER LOOSENS UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER HAS MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE COLUMN BUT DENIES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN JUNE OF 2003 WHEN THE TILT STEERING BECMAE LOOSE GOING AROUND A CORNER. I RECOVERED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT WAS CLOSE. WHEN I EXAMINED THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THE STEERING COLUMN MOVES SIDE TO SIDE APPROXIMATELY 1/4". OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE EXAMINED DO NOT HAVE THIS MUCH FREE PLAY. THE DEALERS HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR ON THIS FOUR TIMES BUT THE ORIGINAL STEERING COLUMN IS STILL IN THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT DOES NOT MEET MAINE STATE INSPECTION STANDARDS AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.