NHTSA Complaint #10246816 — 2001 CHRYSLER 300M

I WAS STOPPED AT A CITY INTERSECTION WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN TRAFFIC CLEARED, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN. I HEARD A 'CLUNK' AND THE WHEELS DID NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED, BUT THE TIRE WHEELS DID NOT! I HAD NO FUNCTION EXCEPT FORWARD OR REVERSE, SO I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE INTO THE CURB IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROADWAY AND MY CAR BLOCKED AN ENTIRE LANE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHICH PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A TOW TRUCK HAD TO LIFT THE CAR TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE ROADWAY. I WAS PETRIFIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE POLICE OFFICER AND IS CURRENTLY WITH THE REPAIR SHOP PENDING AVAILABILITY OF A STEERING RACK KIT. THE BOLT TO THE RACK WAS SEVERED! THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT INJURED THANKS TO THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS THAT MAY HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE WHEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED AND MAKING A TURN OR EXITING A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. THIS IS CLEARLY A MECHANICAL SAFETY HAZARD AND APPEARS TO BE FAULTY WORKMANSHIP IN THE AUTOMOBILE. MY CAR IS MAINTAINED REGULARLY AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ADVISED BY CHRYSLER TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (REFERENCE # 18030539), BUT THEY ARE OF NO ASSISTANCE CONCERNING THIS INCIDENT. I'M SHOCKED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AS RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A RECORDED KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN THE WORKMANSHIP. *TR