NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
38 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 9, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainSteering
THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THIS VEHICAL. BOTH HAVE OCCURED AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES. THIS IS A FAMOUS PROBLEM NOW WITH THESE VEHICALS. COUNTLESS MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS "GO" AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES. THE WEB HAS PAGES DEDICATED TO THE FACT THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS FAIL. THE GOVERNMENT SHOU…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THIS VEHICAL. BOTH HAVE OCCURED AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES. THIS IS A FAMOUS PROBLEM NOW WITH THESE VEHICALS. COUNTLESS MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS "GO" AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES. THE WEB HAS PAGES DEDICATED TO THE FACT THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS FAIL. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE ARE MORE ACCIDENTS THAT PUT OUR TAXPAYING LIVES AT RISK. YOU SHOULD LOOK UP PAGES ON THE INTERNET THAT WILL DEMONSTRATE A CONSISTANT PATTERN OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT OR NEAR 70,000 MILES. ALSO AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD LOOK AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THERE IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SET OF WEB PAGES DEDICATED TO THESE PROBLEMS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THESE ENGINEERING PROBLEMS ARE COSTING OWNERS OF THESE CARS ENOURMOOS AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND SEVERELY JEOPRODIZING PEOPLES' SAFTEY!! THERE MUST BE SOME RECOURSE FOR THE SHODDY ENGINEERING OF CHRYSLER/DODGE!! DON'T STOP AT JUST THE AIRBAG PROBLEMS!! THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FAMLIES WHO OWN CHRYSLER/DODGE MINI-VANS AND THE SERIOUS SAFTEY PROBLEMS- IMAGINE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTO 2ND AT FIFTY ON AN ICY MN ROAD, OR THE STEERING COMING LOOSE PASSING AT 60MPH - THAT THESE CARS EXHIBIT AT REGULAR INTERVALS SHOULD BE ENOUGH REASON TO START AN INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA ODI #709757
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1998
Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #531510
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #531287
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER THREE TIMES. ALSO, FRON TBRAKE ROTORS/STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #603368
Mileage unknown · May 1, 1997
Steering
RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #516876
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1996
Steering
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
NHTSA ODI #800977
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 1996
EquipmentSteering
THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON THE ELECTRO LOCK AT CAROL BURGER DODGE WORLD BECAUSE MS. MILLER DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THERE DODGE WORLD. COLONIAL DODGE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #800927
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 1996
Steering
POWER STEERING PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED, CAUSING POWER STEERING FAILURE. *AW
NHTSA ODI #506590
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1996
Steering
WHEN TURNING STEERING, IT LOCKS UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #985626
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1996
Steering
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #982472
Official recalls
3Oct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
Sep 2, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
There is no summary currently available
Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA98006 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Feb 27, 1998 · Closed May 24, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG (S) DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY--IN MOST CASES WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE.
PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
PE97046 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Oct 24, 1997 · Closed Feb 27, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY (IN MOST CASES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE).
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA94005 · Liftgate Latches
Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.
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