NHTSA Complaint #719428 — 1996 DODGE STRATUS

CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN IN LAST YEAR AT VAN ANDEL DEALERSHIP IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN FOR RECALL WORK. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS HAD A KNOCK OR CREEK IN IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR TO YEAR AND A HALF. I HAD ASKED THEM ABOUT THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING FIXED FOR RECALL WORK. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. YESTERDAY MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WENT TO GO TO THE STORE. THEY STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AND PROCEEDED TO GO WHEN THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS HAPPENED EXCEPT FOR THE CREEKING. K AND M NORTHFIELD DODOGE OF GRAND RAPIDS CALLED ME TODAY WITH THE ESTIMATE OF THECAR. THEY TOLD ME THE CAR HAS A BROKEN TIE ROD. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 55000 MILES ON IT. HE SAID IT WAS NMOT UNCOMMON DUE TO THE CAB-0FORWARD DESIGN PUTS TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE TIE RODS. I AM CONCERNED SOMEONE COULD DIE IN AN ACCIDENT. SHOULD THERE BE STRONGER TIE RODS PUT IN THESE CARS. THANK YOU PLEASE E-MAIL OR CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY AND OTHERS DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WHEN THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT.*AK