NHTSA Complaint #10142955 — 2000 DODGE DODGE

RACK & PINION WAS REPLACED 4/4/03...NORMAL NOISE SIGNALING A PROBLEM. ON 4/22/05, WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE RACK & PINION FAILED AGAIN AND THIS TIME BOTH TIRES WENT DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED...I HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. IT WAS EVEN HARD TO GET IT MOVED THE REST OF THE WAY OUT OF THE GARAGE TO GET IT TOWED, SINCE BOTH TIRES WERE FREE SPINNING. THE REPAIRMAN AT HOOVER CHRYSLER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO LET THEM KNOW OF OUR SECOND RACK AND PINION FAILURE AND THE POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT PROBLEMS WHEN A CAR IS OLDER. WE DO NOT EXPECT LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS! *JB