This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Belt tensioner failed causing loss of steering. This is the 2nd time this component has failed. This is also the second time I've had problems with the cruise control. This time the problem is the clock spring, also causing the horn and air bag system to be inoperable.
Vehicle loses power assist in rain or while riding through a water puddle. Consumer was turning into a subdivison and steering got hard. Consumer almost hit a large brick planter. Has contacted Chrysler by writing letters and making phone calls, but no action has been taken. Consumer stated that dealer previously replaced the tensioner and belt because the vehicle was slipping when driving in the rain.
While traveling at approximately 35 mph during snowy conditions power assist steering belt tensioner broke, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Dealership did not inform the consumer as to why this defect happened. Approximately four weeks after this event, consumer lost control of vehicle again, this time rack and pinion steering caused this defect. Dealership informed consumer this could have been due to fluid burning, nothing more specific was said. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Belt tensioner locked up twice in the last 8 months, causing loss of power steering control and potential for serious accident. The power steering belt was thrown off the belt tensioner and destroyed twice, once in March 2000 and again in November of 2000.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Anytime it rains or water puddles on the street, if I drive over it the steering becomes extremely stiff and sometimes you can't steer at all. I have noticed that even a small amount of water splashes under the right front wheel (the serpentine belts' location) the belt immediately squeals and is difficult to steer. If the compressor is on either the air conditioning or the defroster, and water is splashed on the belt the vehicle ha little or no steering. During a right turn at a green traffic light water splashed the before mentioned area and I almost hit another vehicle in the other lane that was preparing to make a left turn! is there any recall or some kind of panel that can protect the water pump assembly from water contacting the belt and thus leading to little or no steering capabilities?
IE98054, while driving over a water puddle vehicle lost power steering for that moment which could hav E caused loss of control. After it was out of the water, a squeaky noise was heard and vehicle returned back to normal. Dealer replaced steering belt tensioner and serpetine belt. Problem is reoccurring.
When coming to a stop driver heard a loud clunking noise. Right afterwards driver made a left turn which was almost impossible because the bolt which supports the pulley for power steering, sheared off. The vehicle has been repaired.
While driving, heard a "bang" noise. Lost power steering assist. Found that tensioner assembly for the serpentine belt had broken off, and belt had come off. The stud holding the tensioner together had sheared off. Towed to nearest dealer, and fixed.
While driving on highway and turning right on exit, loud noise occurred. Power steering was loose, no steering control with the vehicle. Dealer contacted, and stated the power steering belt tensioner had seized., repairs were done under warranty, no gaurantee that it would't happen again.
Vehicle has lost power steering in hot and humid weather due to the air conditioner draining onto the power steering belt. A replacement elbow drainage pipe is necessary to correct the problem.
In wet climate or driving over puddles, the defective power steering would be inoperative, causing loss of steering control due to the power steering belts getting wet. Dealer cannot find a solution to the problem.
Steering is very wobbly & very loose; speed would vary when it happens. Would pull to right & drift; intermittent grinding in steering mechanism; would lock up when parking or backing up; took to dealer 3 times & had rack & pinion, steering pump replaced, but problem still exists.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Beleview, WA, USA