1995 Dodge Neon: steering wheel locks up

Filed Mar 12, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · FL · crash

My daughter was driving my 1995 dodge neon when the steering wheel locked and caused her to have an accident. She was traveling at approx 35 - 40 MPH .there were no abnormal weather or road conditions. Suddenly the steering wheel jerked the car off the road towards the right, at that point she had a loss of steering and no control of the vehicle. She was not applying the brakes or making a turn, just driving along as she normally would. Previosly we have had problems, serious problems with the antilock brake system failing. When applying the brakes on two separate occasions the front wheels locked up once causing a minor accident , the other just caused damage to the tires. The accident when the steering failed was fortunately a minor one . But could just as easily been a very serios possibly fatal. Since at the time of the steering loss, there was no way to control the direction of the vehicle, which resulted in damage to a residential homeowners yard and personal property that was located in the yard. The vehicle came to rest between two trees because it was stopped by a tension wire attached to a telephone pole which was struck and became wrapped around the front left tire. If not for that she would have struck a concrete culvert only a few feet away.. We are presently involved in proceedings to have the citation she received dismissed due to faulty equipment. Also I did inquire with dodge motor corp re safety recall info...which I was informed that my vehicle has no incomplete recall work , but I also received a car facts report from consumer guide stating that there was a recall and there is no information stating the work had been completed by dodge to correct the problem. Which if it had been corrected the info would have been updated to show that. If you could please help me with this matter, and possibly save someone from this mess. Also I have a friend who lost her arm from her 95 neon crash from steering failure of which I was unaware until after mine.

Filed Jan 14, 2000 · Engine, Steering · GA

When turning to the right at an intersection the steering locked up and engine cut off.

Filed Jul 22, 1999 · Fuel system, Steering · NY · crash · fire · 3 injuries

Driver made right turn , steering locked up ,lost control of vehicle, and crashed onto a curb when the gas tank ruptured, causing 4 deaths and two were severely burned and 1 had minor burns. All were occupants inside the vehicle, three in front and four in the back. Gas tank had no rotective shield.

Filed Jan 12, 1999 · Steering · CA · crash · 1 injury

The current owner was driving the car to work after dropping the baby off at the baby sitters. She had just gotten on the freeway and was accelerating to crusing speed when the steering wheel locked and she could not steer the car. The vehicle veered to the right and ran over the curbing along the side of the highway. This the second time the steering has locked up since she purchased the car. When she had the vehicle checked out, they could not see figure out what caused the wheel to lock up. She thought it was a fluke until it happened again this time. The manufacturer has already looked at the car an denied any liability. This is an 18 year old single parent with no money and no transportation to work, now. She would appreciate any help she can get, especially since there are so many complaints already reported about this problem with this vehicle. My name is larry e. Johnson. I'm her god father. She has no one else to turn to. Thank you.

Filed Aug 31, 1998 · Airbags, Brakes · WI

Vehicle hit a bump in the road at 15mph and the driver's and passenger's side airbags deployed. Also the brakes went out, and the steering locked up. Driver has burns on her arm and a sprained wrist.

Filed Jul 23, 1998 · Steering · AL · crash · 1 injury

Consumer contacted superior mazda in reference to recall 97v-16900, manufacturer 741 to have repaires corrected, dealer corrected problem listed under recall. The day after repaires was were done consumer was involved in an accident due to the steering wheel locking up. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.

Filed Dec 23, 1997 · Steering · NY

While driving in water the steering wheel locks up due to the steering belt getting wet. This has happened more then once.

Filed Jul 28, 1997 · Steering · FL

While driving vehicles experienced loss of steering. Cause is unknown. *ak during rain, especially in puddles, the steering wheel locks or freeze and can not be turned.

Filed Jul 3, 1997 · Steering · AR

Steering locks up, making it impossible to turn left or right.

Filed May 28, 1997 · Steering · MA

Steering wheel locks up usually after rain fall; also, sometimes during cornering at 10-20 MPH.

Filed May 12, 1997 · Steering · NJ

Steering locks up on wet pavement.

Filed Apr 29, 1997 · Steering · VA

Pe96-069 active, steering lockup, lost power steering while driving in wet weather, making it difficult to turn steering wheel. The brake pedal becomes very soft.