1996 Chrysler Concorde: loss of power steering

6 of the 161 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Concorde describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2003
1
2002
1
2001
3
2000
3
1999
5
1998
2
1997
4
1996
6
1995
3
1994
9
1993
2

What owners say

Filed Apr 2, 2004 · Steering · 140,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Aug 21, 2003 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · MN

Left front lower ball joint failed (cracked in half), causing front wheel to separate from lower control arm resulting in loss of steering control.

Filed Dec 27, 2001 · Steering · TX

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.

Filed Jan 8, 2001 · Steering · PA

After turning into a side street, I stopped when I heard a loud pop. I tried to back up, only to discover I had no steering. After having the car towed to a shop, I learned that the bolts had sheared off of the rack. Fortunately, I wasn't moving when this happened.

Filed Jan 8, 2001 · Steering · PA

I turned into a side street to turn around when I heard a loud pop. When I tried to back up, I discoverd I had no steering. After I had the car towed into a shop, I learned that the bolts had sheared off of the rack. Fortunately, I wasn't moving when this happened.

Filed Aug 9, 2000 · Steering · FL

The inner tie rod bushing on the right side fell out allowing much excesssive looseness between the two front wheels. The bushing on the left inner tie rod was badly worn and close to falling out. This makes it difficult to steer the car accurately. If this is situation was not corrected the mechanic advised me that complete loss of steering could occur if the tie rods became disconnected from the rack and pinion steering assembly. I had both tie rods replaced and an alignment performed. Steering is now satisfactory.