Steering Rack And Pinion Problems of Chrysler Concorde - part 1

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Concorde. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became extremely loose. The contact stated that the failure was contributed to a defective rack and pinion. The vehicle was in the process of being diagnosed and repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

See all problems of the 2001 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

I recently purchased a 1996 Chrysler Concorde from an individual party. 2 days after I bought the car, my boyfriend had parked along the street in front of a friends house for a moment, and had just began to pull away from the curb, when he heard a clunking noise. At the same time, he was turning the steering wheel to the left, away from the curb, but the car just kept going straight. Luckily, he was going at a very low speed, so no one was injured. After stopping the car, he looked underneath the vehicle as well as under the hood, and found that the bolts from the rack and pinion steering mechanism had been completely sheared off. They had snapped in half, leaving part of the bolts inside of the unit. I thank god that no one was hurt, and that my 12 year old son wasn't in the car when this happened. I don't have the money for repairs, since I just spent all the money I had buying this vehicle, so I haven't even looked into what this is going to cost me. I truly hope that Chrysler accepts responsibility for this problem before even more people are injured or killed.

See all problems of the 1996 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

Steering problem. . . First went out turning to the left only. . Now it makes terrible noise when it is cold till it warms up but power only works turning to the right. . . Been told rack needs to be replaced. .

See all problems of the 2000 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

The rack and pinion steering system in my 2000 Chrysler Concorde failed to operate without any warning.

Dt: consumer stated the rack and pinion continued to wear out which caused the car the consumer to veer off to the center line. The first time it failed, the vehicle only had 46,000 miles on it. It just takes off in any direction left or right on its own. The dealer said there was nothing they could do. Chrysler said since he had it repaired by an independent garage, there was nothing they could do. When the rack and pinion was replaced the first time, it lasted for 2 years with no problems.

Rack and pinion steering failed with 48000 miles.

When starting the vehicle, the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The dealership informed the consumer that the rack and pinion was worn. The dealership repaired it twice, but the consumer was still having the same problems. Please provide more information.

During 4 yrs of ownership, I am experiencing the worst. I just had my rack and pinion replaced after steering wheel would not return or would lock in place after making a turn left or right and feeling as though the chassis was falling out from underneath my car. I was also told that I will need my stabilizer bar replaced after complaining about erratic shaking sometimes severe when making a stop whether coming off the highway or driving on a street. It has gotten pretty bad lately. I have not been in any accident since purchasing my car custom ordered. Last year I had to have my actuators in all doors except driver side replaced due to malfunction. Wasn't able to open by remote or manually except when I pushed the remote first then lifted lock manually. I have had my door rubbers replaced 2 yrs after ownership and they need to be replaced again because they have pulled from frame. Rubber around lights have pulled away also which gives the car a very 'cheap' look.

I own a 1996 Chrysler Concorde which has been giving me steering problems for the past couple of years. I first noticed it during the winter months on very cold days when I would leave for work in the morning. As soon as I pulled out of the driveway and made even the slightest turn of the wheel there would be some loud popping noises and the steering was stiff. Once the car warmed up the steering was more fluid and the noise would diminish. These symptoms have continued and now I seem to experience them even in warmer temperatures. Recently I have noticed that whenever I am applying the brakes and turning the wheel I hear a clunking noise as if something is breaking. I have also noticed that the steering wheel is no longer straight when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line which indicates an alignment is in order. I brought my car to my mechanic this morning and after inspecting it he informed me that the rack & pinion bushings are bad and need to be replaced. He specifically said the problem is where the rack & pinion connect to the body. He also said he does not have the necessary tool(s) to repair this so he referred me to a Chrysler dealership where I called and was informed the repair would be a minimum of $1650 perhaps more depending on if struts and mounts were also needed. I am placing this complaint with the NHTSA because I found several other complaints listed on the NHTSA website from other consumers who have had the same experience with their 1996 Chrysler Concorde's. It is my sincere hope that daimler-Chrysler will address this issue and compensate it's customers for any/all costs related to this apparent defect in manufacturing.

While pulling into a parking lot steering mechanism broke. Consumer tried to restart vehicle. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic confirmed that the main bolt connected to rack and pinion sheared off. Mechanic replaced the rack and pinion and the bolts.

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that rack and pinion steering broke, and needed to be replaced.

See all problems of the 1998 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

Steering gear is faulty, as diagnosed by a Chrysler authorized service rep. Steering gear emits loud clunking noises when vehicle is driven on non smooth roads. Dealer refuses to replace steering gear under warranty conditions. Condition has worsened during last 15000 miles.

See all problems of the 1999 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

On 10/11/96 I purchased a new Chrysler Concorde from a local authorized dealer here in montgomery, al. (VIN 2c3hd56t3th224051) on Jan 2001, I reported to the Chrysler dealer about the front end suspension was popping and cracking when you turned the steering wheel. The dealer claimed it was tie rod bushings and lower arm. I also told them that the steering wheel was not straight anymore when driving on a straight road. The dealership made the repairs. (somewhat better @$577. 00 / mileage was 36430) on 31 Jan 03, I took this vehicle to the automotive service center, here in montgomery, al. (mileage is 51758) for a front end alignment and tire balance. (the car's steering lately seemed to have a lot of play) on this date, at approx 9:30 am, I received a call from the montgomery service center (mr stan seago / service manager/ phone nr. 334-281-2886) informing me that the "rack and pinion " steering needed to be replaced ASAP, as this condition good be a safety factor in driving the car. He said the "whole" rack and pinion steering assembly was moving when the steering wheel was being turned, an unsafe condition. Mr seago also told me that he has seen and repaired several Chrysler product vehicles with the same problem. (premature failure of the rack and pinion steering assembly) Chrysler is aware of this problem as mr seago showed me a Chrysler "technical service bulletin": nr. 19-001-01/group: steering/dated 23 March 2001. This also covered vehicles from 1993-2001 Chrysler, Dodge, and eagle. If this steering problem and condtion is un safe, why hasn't Chrysler recalled these vihicles for the repairs at their cost? (approx. $2400. 00) does someone need to get killed before anything is done? your inquiry into this matter would be highly appreciated. (names and repair receipts to other vehicles in the montgomery area for the same problem, are available) thank you.

Rack and pinion steering was making a rattling noise and then it felt as if the power steering went out, but only in one direction. The dealer said the whole left rack had to be replaced. The vehicle had 47,000 miles and was three years old.

When making a turn in either direction, vehicle was very hard to steer. Dealer determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

Contacted the dealer several months ago about rattling/loose sounds under car and they claimed to not find anything, but this could be related to the rack & pinion issue since it failed soon after.

After taking vehicle in for an alignment I was informed by mechanic that there was a problem with "right power steering rack mounting bushings" and the "lower control arm" was making a noise. He said it would cost approx. $1400. 00 to correct this problem. This vehicle was well amintained and driven properly at all times. This seems a bit strange that a vehicle less than 4 years old, not driven abusively would have such a major expense repair.

Steering was losing control or not responding properly because of the nuts / bolts, and a faulty bushing needed to be replaced on rack and pinion. Dealer and manufacturer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

See all problems of the 1997 Chrysler Concorde 🔎.

Steering rack and pinion began making loud pop and/or creaking noise when turning steering wheel right or left when vehicle is cold (<30 degrees f). Later the same week, after starting cold car in parking lot, pulled out of parking space and lost power assist in steering - with power steering drive belt screaching. Narrowly missed collision with parked car. After engine is warmed up 2 or more minutes, steering seems to function normally. Dealer evaluation says replace rack and pinion steering gear at cost of $1868. TSB has been issued for this defect. Dealer indicates that earlier model years (93-95) had bushing replacement kit for about $15, but '96 model requires replacement of steering gear at $1500 parts cost. Two months ago had loose tie rod replaced - which might be related. I will not drive car with this condition - fearing steering failure. But cannot spend $1800 to fix - no aftermarket steering gear is available.

I have put nearly $2000 into the front end of my 1996 Chrysler Concorde, beginning with the infamous early rack & pinion defect. Right now the car is up on blocks waiting for me to replace nearly everything in the front end. This has been a nightmare of replacemnt costs.

When making turns in either direction there is loud noise coming from the front end. Dealer determined the rack and pinion needs to be replaced.

While driving vehicle and turning steering wheel to cruise into next lane would hear a lot of scrapping noises. Had come upon a stop and would hear a scrapping noise from front end. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic replaced rack and pinion which indicated a problem with steering.

Large bolts holding rack and pinion sheared off.

Both steel lines on the rack and pinion steering ruptured, causing power steering fluid to spray onto the engine, also there was a loss of steering, consumer states that the other line ruptured one month later.

I turned into a side street to turn around when I heard a loud pop. When I tried to back up, I discoverd I had no steering. After I had the car towed into a shop, I learned that the bolts had sheared off of the rack. Fortunately, I wasn't moving when this happened.

After turning into a side street, I stopped when I heard a loud pop. I tried to back up, only to discover I had no steering. After having the car towed to a shop, I learned that the bolts had sheared off of the rack. Fortunately, I wasn't moving when this happened.

Power steering became quite difficult at times . . . Hard turning without power assist . . . Dealer will replace rack and pinion gear assembly with new rack and pinion gear assembly on janaury 15, 2001 at a cost to me of $1,156 plus tax . . . This car is not driven hard by me or my wife (senior citizens) . . . This appears to me to be a defect in design or manufacturing for the gear assembly to fail after only 57,000 miles.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

These ongoing problems that never seem to be corrected. No safety defect mentioned.

Steering rack failed and needs to be replaced.

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).

Car pulls to the left upon slowing down to a stop, driving on bumpy terrain and freeway conditions. Car has beeen in 4 times for repairs such as complete rebuild of rack and pinion, rotation of tires and alignment. Problem still exists. Steering wheel comes to rest turned left and will not "bounce back" to center after manuvering a left turn. Steering wheel does come back to center after negotiating a right turn.

When turning the steering wheel to the right or left the vehicle made a metal like grinding sound and a clunk. Dealer has replaced rack and pinion steering. Since repairs, problem has not ocurred.

Vehicle experiencing problem with rack and pinion being replaced by dealer on three occasions. Replacement was done under warranty, but causes of failure are still unknown. The tires were prematurely worn on outside edges.

Bushings on rack and pinion not present (two each). Repaired 3 times. Dealer said it was normal. Cost to replace $6 bushings this time - $1200+, because Chrysler no longer sells just the bushings - must buy the whole rack and pinion. Lots of play in the wheel and has ruined the tie rods and inner bushings three times. No recalls? every dealer has the rack and pinion gear assembly in stock ( 3 to 6 units)!!! something is wrong.