NHTSA Complaint #748154 — 1999 DODGE CARAVAN

I HAD BEEN TO A FUNERAL AND WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR ONLY MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I HAD TURNED INTO THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION AND HAD GOTTEN TO MY HOUSE AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE PART BROKE AT THIS TIME AND ALL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD NOT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME WHAT PART HAD BROKEN. IT ALSO HIT THE PULLEY WHEN IT BROKE AND THE PULLEY AND BELT BROKE ALSO. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A DEALER ITEM; HOWEVER, THEY STOCK IT BECAUSE IT BREAKS ALL THE TIME ON THE 1999 MODELS AND OLDER MODELS ALSO. IF THIS PART HAD BROKEN ONLY MINUTES EARLIER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER IN MY VAN AND MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AND IT COULD HAVE INVOLVED OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO MY LACK OF STEERING ABILITY. I HAVE NOT CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED FOR THE NEWER MODELS OR NOT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO THE IMMINENT DANGER IMPOSED BY THIS FAILURE AND THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN.*AK