Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 2001 Chrysler 300M

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler 300m. The contact stated that the tie rod on the rack and pinion was loose on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact was driving 20 mph and was able to drive onto the emergency lane. The mechanic stated that the bushings burned and that the failure occurred in several vehicles identical to his year, make and model. The failure mileage and current mileages were 144000.

Some background: I noticed the steering wheel was a little sloppy on my 300m and took it to a local dealer to be diagnosed. They told me the rack and pinion should probably be replaced. I had it replaced for around $1200. A year and a half later while traveling for christmas, I pulled off the interstate (from doing 70 mph) to stop at a gas station. I stopped at the top of the off ramp for the stop sign. Traffic cleared, as I accelerated to turn left, when I turned the wheel I heard a noise, and the car went straight. I had no steering. Luckily I had enough room past the intersection to get out of traffic, but still had my wife and two small children in a precarious position. If this had happened while doing 70 mph down the interstate, I'm sure we all would have been seriously injured or killed. The car was towed to a dealer whose opinion was that the bolts that hold the inner tie rods to the rack and pinion were loose and caused the failure. The dealer had to replace the rack and pinion again. Police were on scene but did not take a report.

2001 Chrysler 300m with 68, 300 miles has steering vibration at 60 mph.

My sister's 2001 Chrysler 300 m experienced sudden steering failure while driving. Fortunately she was travelling at low speed, so no one was killed. She described the feeling at failure as a loud noise followed by the sensation of sliding on ice. It was towed to a repair shop, where they found that the threaded holes on the steering rack that the inner tie rods connect to were both stripped out and that the bolts had fallen out, resulting in complete loss of steering control. This seems to be a common problem with the large Chrysler vehicles, and puts a lot of people at risk of death. Please force Chrysler to recall these cars and to install a redesigned steering rack and tie rods that are not going to kill people.

Violent shaking began while traveling at highway speed, approx. 70 mph. The shaking seemed to be originating from the right front end of the vehicle. Vehicle was brought in for service and mechanic informed me that the right side tie rod was defective. The mechanic showed me the "play" of approx. 3 to 4 inches to the left and then an additional 3 to 4 inches to the right of center. Apparently the shaking I felt was the right front wheel swinging left and right while I was traveling straight along the highway.

Cluncking noise coming from front end and steering locks up while turning full right or left. Car was serviced and rack and pinion was replaced under warranty at 50,000 miles. Returned to dealer after 100,000 miles for wheel vibration problems especially while braking. Inner tie rod bushings were replaced.

2001 Chrysler 300m steering noise over bumps / play on steering wheel/ seems very unsafe to drive, dealership has replaced the tie rods as well as I did also I also replaced all suspension and the noise is still there it is definitely in the rack and pinion, it feels lose and like other complaints the rack and pinion may share off and cause a fatal car accident I need this fixed before it harms me or someone related to you. Please advise.