NHTSA Complaint #10134255 — 2001 DODGE VAN

AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND ATTEMPTED TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER ASSIST WENT OUT ON THE STEERING. I HAD TO USE ALL MY MIGHT TO GET THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE 90 DEGREE TURN. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS, I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE VAN INTO A PARKING SPOT. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, OPENED THE WINDOWS, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER MANEUVERED THE VAN OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE TO WHERE IT COULD BE TOWED, HE POINTED OUT TO ME THAT HE HAD NO TROUBLE WHATSOEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY CHECKED ALL THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE AND CHARGED ME $45 FOR NOTHING. AT ALMOST 79,000 MILES, THE STEERING PROBLEM SHOWED ITS UGLY HEAD WHILE ON VACATION LAST WEEK AND I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND INSIST THAT IT BE FIXED. I WILL TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT DODGE DEALER THIS TIME SO THAT I CAN HAVE A "SECOND OPINION."