NHTSA Complaint #10243283 — 1999 CHRYSLER LHS

RACK AND PINION AND OUTER TIE ROD FAILURE ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER LHS. I PURCHASED THE CAR APPROX 30 MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAD 3000 MILES OR 5400 KILOMETERS. THE STEERING FAILED ON AUGUST 10 2008. I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING FROZE AND I COULD NOT WITH ALL OF MY STRENGTH TURN THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT.....WHEN IT FAILED, THE CAR ONLY HAD 34,544 KILOMETERS AND NOW HAS 35000. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AT A LOCAL GARAGE AT THE APPROX. COST OF 1400.00 DOLLARS. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND I HAVE BEEN DOING ALOT OF READING ABOUT THIS AND THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY QUALIFY AS A RECALL ITEM. WHAT I REALLY THINK IS THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO REPAIR AND REPAY ALL OF THE CONSUMERS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. ALSO I WOULD LIKE THEM TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS CHANGES TO THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH IN MY EYES IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM AND IS PRONE TO FAILURE THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, I STILL FIND SOME CLUNKING NOISES AND THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF WHEN YOU FIRST BEGIN DRIVING...I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE OUTER TIE RODS BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY NOISY AND UNSAFE AND THAT WAS DONE APPROX 30 DAYS BEFORE THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED....IF I CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO SO. THANK YOU. *TR