NHTSA Complaint #10408264 — 2009 NISSAN VERSA

WITHIN WEEKS OF MY PURCHASE OF A 2009 NISSAN VERSA SL, I NOTICED, WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS (5-10 MPH), ESPECIALLY GOING OVER A BUMP AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 1- 1 1/2 TIMES (AS IN GOING INTO A DRIVEWAY) I EXPERIENCE LOUD CLUNKING AND VIBRATIONS IN WHEEL, AND IT CAN BE EASILY HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CLUNK IS ALWAYS THERE AT 1 TO 1 1/4 TURN FROM THE FULL CLOCKWISE STOP. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 5 TIMES; THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL TIMES, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID HE COULDN'T HEAR OR FEEL THE 'CLUNK' BUT THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD. THE VERSA DOES MOVE AROUND QUITE A BIT AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY, BUT I AM UNSURE IF THAT IS CAUSED BY THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROBLEM OR THE LIGHT WEIGHT OF THE VERSA. THE SOUND AND FEEL OF THIS 'CLUNK' IS VERY DISCONCERTING, AND GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN FOR 3 YEARS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I'M WONDERING IF THE GOVERNMENT/AUTOMAKER ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY ACT.