NHTSA Complaint #759918 — 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE

I SENT A REPORT EARLIER THIS WEEK REGARDING THE STEERING FAILURE OF MY VAN ON 3/18/02. I BROUGHT OUR MINIVAN TO IRON TRAIL TO BE REPAIRED. ON 3/28/02 WE CALLED TO FIND OUT WHEN THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COMPLETE AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE REPLACEMENT RACK HE INSTALLED IN OUR VAN BROKE WHEN HE WAS TAKING IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AFTER INSTALLATION. HE ALSO TOLD US THAT THIS IS THE SECOND CHEVROLET VENTURE THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RACK AND THEN THE REPLACEMENT RACK ALSO BROKE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAILURE ON THE PART OF CHEVROLET IN THAT THE RACK IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE STEERED AT ALL WHEN THIS OCCURS. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FUTHER. THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DON'T REALIZE THAT THEIR STEERING CAN "FREEZE" AT ANY TIME. A MINIVAN IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND A PERSON SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF STEERING FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING WHAT IS DONE WITH THESE TYPE OF REPORTS AND WHAT FOLLOW UP THERE IS. THANK YOU. NLM