NHTSA Complaint #10499782 — 2003 DODGE INTREPID

AS I WAS BACKING INTO A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE, I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR, JUST AS I TAPPED THE CURB WITH MY BACK TIRES AT 2 MPH. I WENT TO PULL FORWARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR AND ATTEMPT THE PARKING JOB AGAIN, WHEN I REALIZED THAT I COULD NO LONGER TURN THE WHEELS. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH EASE IN MY HAND, BUT THE TIRES DID NOT BUDGE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND BUSHINGS REPLACED AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE ABOUT A MONTH AGO, NOW I HAVE NO STEERING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE I'M IN A SMALL TOWN AND THE NEAREST DEALER IS 45 MILES AWAY. THEY SAID THAT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TIE RODS TO THE RACK HAD "POPPED OUT." NOT SURE IF THIS IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS BOTH BOLTS POPPED OUT OR IF IT WAS THE RESULT OF A POOR MECHANICAL REPAIR AT THE LAST SHOP, BUT AFTER READING MANY REVIEWS ON THE CAR, IT IS POSSIBLE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. HOWEVER THE MECHANIC STATED "IN MY 25+ YEARS OF MECHANICAL WORK, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHERE IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING THE DRIVER DID OR COULD HAVE PREVENTED." *TR