Dodge Neon steering lock-up problems

Filed Nov 7, 2004 · Steering · 61,390 miles · NY · crash

1999 dodge neon sport - steering locks up under vehicle motion, seems to pull car to the side. Has happened on several occasions, the most recent causing an accident. While traveling on a clear, dry day at highway speed (55 MPH+), a lane change from the right to passing lane was attempted. As the vehicle was steered into the left lane, the steering locked up, causing the car to jerk to the right. In an attempt to regain control of the car, the steering suddenly became unlocked, causing over correction. Now the vehicle was moving hard left, correction attempt back to the right caused vehicle to spin uncontrollably, crossing 2 lanes of traffic, leaving the roadway, passing between 2 metal light poles, and stopping in a ditch. No injuries, collisions with other vehicles or objects, or major vehicle damage occurred. Vehicle was removed from ditch by a tow-truck and was driven home. Check of the power steering system reveals full fluid level, belts seem tight, no obvious defects seen. Will have vehicle evaluated by mechanic asap.

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 Dec 18, 2002 · Lights · 34,000 miles · GA

While driving the dashboard light started flashing. Consumer had vehicle serviced by a dealership. The problem recurred, and the steering wheel locked up also, almost causing an accident. Ts

Filed Mar 3, 2001 · Airbags, Steering · NJ · crash · 1 injury

While driving through shopping center at about 25 MPH tried to make left turn down lane the steering wheel locked in mid turn and my son looked down to see why wheel locked and slammed head on into a concrete light post, causing over $4000.00 in damage to the car. Also the airbag did not deploy during a head on inpact

Filed Aug 11, 2000 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash · 1 injury

While driving 50-55mph steering wheel locked, causing driver to lose control, resulting in a collision with minor injuries. *ak the vehicle accelerates suddenly and the brakes locked. The vehicle could not be repaired after accident due to inferior structure and body. This vehicle was sold by deceptive tactics and to cover up prior accident, the dealer refused to reveal service records.

Filed Feb 15, 2000 · Brakes, Engine · NY

Like so many others, the head gasket on my young neon has blown.I have also had problems with brakes squealing, power steering locking up in wet weather and the turn signal now only works when it feels like it. The radio had to be replaced the first year I owned the car - and it took the dealer nearly a month to get that done.

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 May 28, 1999 · Steering · TX

When driving in the rain steering wheel locked up when making a right turn. First three times and the last time two weeks ago, steering locked up while consumer was making a left turn. Consumer took vehicle to dealership twice, and and dealer cannot duplicate problem.

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.