Steering Anti-theft Device problems of the 1999 Chrysler Concorde

Vehicle: 1999 Chrysler Concorde lxi,pproximate milage: 50,000 problem: steering wheel; rack and pinion: ( 1. ) the steering wheel jams and I have to jerk the steering wheel to release it. ( 2. ) there is also 1/2" to 1" of play in the steering wheel either way when it is "working properly". The problem started intermitently then rapidly worsened. I spoke to a mechanic and he said this is a common problem with this model. My coworker is approching 50,000 miles with a 2000 Chrysler 300m, (an upgrade, but basiclly the same car), he is having the same problem. I have contacted diamler Chrysler, but have gotten nowhere. I am taking it to the shop 6/21/04 to be fixed. This is a very expensive problem and seems to occure at around 40000 to 50000 miles, (Chrysler said they would have split the cost with me if the milage wasn't so high). I feel that this problem seriously needs to be followed up on. It is a huge safety problem.