Mounting support bushings to "rack & pinion" become brittle and allow movement of rack which reduces steering response. During cold weather the problem is also noticeable as a squeaking noise when turning the wheel 'back and forth'. the heat from the exhaust pipe is directly below the rack and that pipe should be insulated to reduce the heat transfer to the bushings that anchor the rack (above).

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

A popping sound was coming from the front left side of the vehicle when the brakes were applied. Steering wheel constantly vibrates and has since I've owned the vehicle. A July 2008 safety inspection revealed "excessive play" in the steering linkage and left outer tierod was bad. Repairs performed and the same thing happened yet again three months later. After learning of all the complaints related to steering problems in Chrysler vehicles, I now fear for my safety and that of my family. Chrysler needs to held responsible for the dangerous products they are putting on the market.

- Imperial, MO, USA

I have a 1996 Chrysler Concorde and while driving had the tie rod bolts break completely off from the rack, since I have had the bushings and bolts replaced twice, and am still in need of rack mount bushings as they have failed and I now once again feel the car floating where ever it wants to go on the road. The rack mount bushings are approx. $53 for two and I am in need of four. I work barely part time and cannot afford to continue to fix a problem that shouldn't even exist. Where does a company like DC stop assuming responsibility for issues that are very much on their end of the stick" had I been on the highway I would have definitely been killed no question. I have 3 children that regularly ride in the car and is Chrysler going to pay for our funeral when their product kills one of us or on of their millions of other customers" I highly doubt it. We need to do something about this immediately!

- Chatham Ontario Canada, 00, USA

Steering makes a grunting sound when wheel is moved back and forth, the mounts on the rack are loose.

- Bentley, MI, USA

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 to $2000 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.

- Milford, OH, USA

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.

- Belhaven, NC, USA

Text of message sent to odidata@NHTSA.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"

- Coats, NC, USA

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.

- Orinda, CA, USA

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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Consumer stated the gear power steering and rack and pinion was replaced due to hearing noises from steering when driving, also the left outer tie rod end was replaced due to steering noise.

- Pittston Twp., PA, USA

Vehicle experiencing looseness in steering.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

PE99031; bushing that holds track assembly has failed, almost feels that power steering goes to maunal steering.

- Lewleox, IL, USA

The mechanism in the vehicle that controls steering fell apart.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA