When starting the vehicle, the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The dealership informed the consumer that the rack and pinion was worn. The dealership repaired it twice, but the consumer was still having the same problems. Please provide more information.
1996 Chrysler Concorde steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
First it was the rack & pinion going out on my 1996 chrysler concorde. Chrysler did replace under warranty. Now the tie-rods have failed - not covered under chrysler's extended warranty.
Steering makes a grunting sound when wheel is moved back and forth, the mounts on the rack are loose.
I own a 1996 chrysler concorde which has been giving me steering problems for the past couple of years. I first noticed it during the winter months on very cold days when I would leave for work in the morning. As soon as I pulled out of the driveway and made even the slightest turn of the wheel there would be some loud popping noises and the steering was stiff. Once the car warmed up the steering was more fluid and the noise would diminish. These symptoms have continued and now I seem to experience them even in warmer temperatures. Recently I have noticed that whenever I am applying the brakes and turning the wheel I hear a clunking noise as if something is breaking. I have also noticed that the steering wheel is no longer straight when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line which indicates an alignment is in order. I brought my car to my mechanic this morning and after inspecting it he informed me that the rack & pinion bushings are bad and need to be replaced. He specifically said the problem is where the rack & pinion connect to the body. He also said he does not have the necessary tool(s) to repair this so he referred me to a chrysler dealership where I called and was informed the repair would be a minimum of $1650 perhaps more depending on if struts and mounts were also needed. I am placing this complaint with the federal safety agency because I found several other complaints listed on the federal safety agency website from other consumers who have had the same experience with their 1996 chrysler concorde's. It is my sincere hope that daimler-chrysler will address this issue and compensate it's customers for any/all costs related to this apparent defect in manufacturing.
Well as I can tell this is a wide spread problem the rack and pinion, bushings and steering gear failure and tie rod ends. My concord has had a clunk grinding sound for sometime in the steering and now the car is beginning to not turn when I turn the steering wheel. Not every one has a $1000.00 to $2000.00 to get this fixed what will it take to get chrysler to fix the problem a school bus full of children getting hit buy one of the many chrysler cars with the same steering problem on the road. Please help before someone gets killed if not already.
I have a 1996 chrysler concorde lxi. My brother in law has one the same year and model also. We both have the same problem. The steering gear bushings wear out and allows the steering to wander. I have come very close to having an accident as well as my brother in law while going around a corner and expecting the car to follow the direction of steering but instead the car wanted to go straight until the steering gear had traveled as far as it could go then the steering reacted. This problem also causes excessive vibration in the front end leading a mechanic to believe the rotors are warped when in fact it is the steering gear bushings. These bushings are not available through chrysler. Instead they want you to purchase a whole new steering gear for over $1000. It appears to me that this problem is very common to the 1996 chrysler concorde lxi and chrysler should either make the part available to remedy the problem or replace the part at there own expense. This is one of those problems where someone may drive off the road and get hurt or killed and no one will ever know why other than to expect that it was the drivers fault.
I have put nearly $2000 into the front end of my 1996 chrysler concorde, beginning with the infamous early rack & pinion defect. Right now the car is up on blocks waiting for me to replace nearly everything in the front end.*ak this has been a nightmare of replacemnt costs.
Steering is very bad. Pulls to the left. Rack and pinion bushings bad, as well as a tie rod. Usually makes a popping noise when turning. Engine cooling system has malfunctioned. Continues to overheat. Replaced water pump twice as well as thermostat. Abs light continues to come on. Brakes are very bad. I've replaced them numerous times.
Vehicle is very difficult to steer, it will continuously pull to the left/right. Dealership indicated that rack and pinion steering was coming apart at the mount.
Text of message sent to odidata@the federal safety agency.dot.gov wed., 7-23-2003. My elderly father has a 1996 chrysler concorde for which he currently has a steering problem. The servicing dealership in coats, nc has advised that it has a good idea that it may be defective or missing bushings, loose steering gear bolts, or other commonly known problems. They further advised that the vehicle is safe to operate until they can look at it next week. I am astounded that there are no recalls in effect for this subject. It took a solid hour for me to cut / paste the attached. This is an extract from your records - vivid descriptions warning of safety concerns from customers. What will it take to reach chrysler corporation's sense of concern and duty toward this matter. What is your responsibility toward this matter? Your website cites the following: "if a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must fix it at no cost to the owner. Your complaint is the first step in the process." the "next step" has already been taken, and investigations #ea99031 oct 29, 1999 and pe99044 sep 13, 2001 closed with no assumption of accountability by chrysler, and no recall mandated for safety issues. Chrysler owes this "well known" problem's fix to my father at no charge. I will not stand by and see him taken for several hundred or thousands of dollars. It is apparent that this one has slipped through the cracks, was not properly investigated by your engineering department, or was set aside prematurely.how many complaints will it take?
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning the steering bolts are loose, and it is causing the steering wheel to jump around, making it hard for consumer to steer the vehicle. Dealer notified.*ak
I use to own a 1996 chrysler concorde lxi I have encountered several problems, such as my wheels falling off, looseness in the steering. A chrysler dealership stated the car should not be driven on the road at all! My engine failed while driving 45 m.p.h., all power to the car died. I have been talking to several concorde owners and this is a well know problem with these. I stop making payment for this car after the original dealership where I brought it from would not fix it while under warranty. I fear for the person who has this car now, they could lose their life.
Steering rack replacement in 1996 chrysler concorde is very costly and problematic. Had I known about such an inherent bad design I would never have purchased this vehicle, let alone any chrysler product. My particular unit has failed at the low mileage of 110,000 and became dangerously close to failure! Furthermore, during the repair process many other components had to be replaced due to the required tear down to access the failed steering rack components. In addition to the steering rack failure, the fuel rail gaskets also failed in leakage at the same time.
On 10/11/96 I purchased a new chrysler concorde from a local authorized dealer here in montgomery, al. (VIN [xxx]) on jan 2001, I reported to the chrysler dealer about the front end suspension was popping and cracking when you turned the steering wheel. The dealer claimed it was tie rod bushings and lower arm. I also told them that the steering wheel was not straight anymore when driving on a straight road. The dealership made the repairs. (somewhat better @$577.00 / mileage was 36430) on 31 jan 03, I took this vehicle to the automotive service center, here in montgomery, al. (mileage is 51758) for a front end alignment and tire balance. (the car's steering lately seemed to have a lot of play) on this date, at approx 9:30 am, I received a call from the montgomery service center ([xxx] / service manager/ phone nr. 334‑281‑2886) informing me that the "rack and pinion " steering needed to be replaced asap, as this condition good be a safety factor in driving the car. He said the "whole" rack and pinion steering assembly was moving when the steering wheel was being turned, an unsafe condition. [xxx] also told me that he has seen and repaired several chrysler product vehicles with the same problem. (premature failure of the rack and pinion steering assembly) chrysler is aware of this problem as [xxx] showed me a chrysler "technical service bulletin": nr. 19-001-01/group: steering/dated 23 march 2001. This also covered vehicles from 1993-2001 chrysler, dodge, and eagle. If this steering problem and condition is un safe, why hasn't chrysler recalled these vehicles for the repairs at their cost? (approx. $2400.00) does someone need to get killed before anything is done? Your inquiry into this matter would be highly appreciated. (names and repair receipts to other vehicles in the montgomery area for the same problem, are available) thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
When making turns in either direction there is loud noise coming from the front end. Dealer determined the rack and pinion needs to be replaced.
Consumer states the right front strut was replaced, the right rear strut was leaking, also there was a clunking noise coming from the steering, the dealer replaced the front sway bar.
When making a turn in either direction, vehicle was very hard to steer. Dealer determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.*ak
Front sway bar bushings cracked and was repaired previously. *ak rear sway bar bushing cracked causing a rattle in rear sway bar. Water pump was leaking and was replaced. The steering pump was leaking and was replaced.
Vehicle is misfiring, dealer will not replace or repair the powertrain control module (PCM), even though the PCM should be covered under warranty.
Steering rack and pinion began making loud pop and/or creaking noise when turning steering wheel right or left when vehicle is cold (<30 degrees f). Later the same week, after starting cold car in parking lot, pulled out of parking space and lost power assist in steering - with power steering drive belt screaching. Narrowly missed collision with parked car. After engine is warmed up 2 or more minutes, steering seems to function normally. Dealer evaluation says replace rack and pinion steering gear at cost of $1868. Tsb has been issued for this defect. Dealer indicates that earlier model years (93-95) had bushing replacement kit for about $15, but '96 model requires replacement of steering gear at $1500 parts cost. Two months ago had loose tie rod replaced - which might be related. I will not drive car with this condition - fearing steering failure. But cannot spend $1800 to fix - no aftermarket steering gear is available.
Both steel lines on the rack and pinion steering ruptured, causing power steering fluid to spray onto the engine, also there was a loss of steering, consumer states that the other line ruptured one month later.
While driving vehicle and turning steering wheel to cruise into next lane would hear a lot of scrapping noises. Had come upon a stop and would hear a scrapping noise from front end. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic replaced rack and pinion which indicated a problem with steering.
Large bolts holding rack and pinion sheared off
Bushings on rack and pinion not present (two each). Repaired 3 times. Dealer said it was normal. Cost to replace $6 bushings this time - $1200+, because chrysler no longer sells just the bushings - must buy the whole rack and pinion. Lots of play in the wheel and has ruined the tie rods and inner bushings three times. No recalls? Every dealer has the rack and pinion gear assembly in stock ( 3 to 6 units)!!! Something is wrong.
Rack and pinion bushings are worn out and tie rods are gone . Dealer has inspected, and will repair vehicle at owner's expense. *ak
The complete steering mechanism and rod had to be replaced, the rod needed replacement a second time. Nlm
These ongoing problems that never seem to be corrected. No safety defect mentioned.
We purchased this car new. It has always had alignment problems which were reported to the dealership. We finally decided to live with the problem because we got tired of no service. In oct of 2000 we had both inner tie rod ends and the left outer tie rod end replaced. The rack assembly was never addressed in this repair. As stated earlier we have complained about the steering. I have seen many complaints on your web site for the same problems. Will people have to be injured before chrysler accepts responsibility for their poor design.
The power steering rack failed and the steering rod broke. Nlm
Power steering became quite difficult at times ... Hard turning without power assist ...dealer will replace rack and pinion gear assembly with new rack and pinion gear assembly on janaury 15, 2001 at a cost to me of $1,156 plus tax ... This car is not driven hard by me or my wife (senior citizens) ... This appears to me to be a defect in design or manufacturing for the gear assembly to fail after only 57,000 miles.
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