NHTSA Complaint #10434966 — 2005 SAAB 9-2X

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND COULDN'T TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RUBBER RING (INNER RING) OF THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECOMING MISALIGNED WITH THE METAL RING (OUTER RING), CAUSING THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME SUDDENLY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHICH COULD HAVE POSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN IS IDENTICAL TO THE MORE POPULAR AND BETTER-SELLING 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA, SO THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THAT VEHICLE AS WELL. MY MECHANIC HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE IMPREZAS, BUT SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR