NHTSA Complaint #10585166 — 1999 DODGE RAM VAN

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING BECAME UNCERTAIN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING NOTHING FOR THE STEERING BOX TO ATTACH TO AND ALLOWING IT TO TURN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FIXED. THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM STEERING. I ALSO HAD A BRACKET WHICH WAS PART OF THE STEERING GEAR RUST SO THAT IT BROKE OFF THE FRAME EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DISTURBING AND I AM THANKFUL THAT NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT RESULTED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH RUST PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT THE SAFETY IN A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS VAN IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR