Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 2007 Dodge Charger

Today the outer tie rod on the drivers wheel side snapped in half. This occurred not after hitting a bump, or a curb, but pulling into a parking space. Yes, a right hand turn at less than 5 miles an hour snapped the outer tie rod in two. How fortunate am I that this defective product did not break while I was on the highway? this is an absolute outrage that Dodge knowingly places unsafe components on their cars, and refuses to recall them when the parts continue to fail. Dodge recalls the tie rods on the dakota, ram, and durango; but after thousands of public complaints that Charger tie rods are bad also, they do nothing about it. Are they waiting for people to die because of their unsafe products?.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the front tires were being replaced by an independent mechanic when he was informed that the front driver side tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 9,000.

Steering / tie rods.

Front outer tie rod ends of 2007 Dodge Charger 3. 5 liter are of a non greasable type. The grease which is utilized at time of installation breaks down prematurely (at around 30,000 miles) and turns to a gritty clay in the ball joint. This premature breakdown of lubrication results in the wearing out and failure of the tie rod end which will result in the loss of control of said vehicle. These are my findings as I did a failure mode evaluation and upgraded the oem component to a greaseable high performance tie rod end.

Upon arriving for my scheduled oil change and tire exchange from snows to summer, I was informed that my tie rod ends on both front wheels needed to be replaced as they were not safe to drive on. So I instructed them to go ahead and fix it as I needed to be able to drive the vehicle and safety is the most important issue when you transport your child on a regular basis (as well as myself). I didn't realize at that time this was something that is covered under warranty or I would have gone to a daimlerchrysler/Dodge dealer to get it fixed. It is unacceptable for a car with 33,000 miles to need two new tie rods. This was an emergency repair as I had no previous indication that there was a problem at all. Leaving without getting the vehicle repaired was not an option as I am not willing to put mine or my daughters safety in jeopardy as she was with me at the time of the appointment. I am aware of the damage to the car that can be caused when a tie rod (or both) fails and didn't think twice about going ahead with the repairs. Upon speaking with a representative after the fact to get a reimbursement (following the instructions in the back of the owners manual regarding emergency repairs not done at a dealer), daimlerchrysler stated they would only replace the parts. This is not good enough as I did not have any other option. I do not feel I should have to pay for something, which would have otherwise been fully covered under the warranty by going to a daimlerchrysler dealer, especially being a safety issue. Had the tie rods indeed broken while driving the vehicle, not only would it have incurred enormous amounts of damage it would have been extremely unsafe for myself and my 6 year old daughter. Research over the internet has since indicated this is a chronic problem with daimlerchrysler vehicles and this is not a repair I should have to pay for.

My daughter had warped rotors replaced by local mechanic and informed she needed rack and pinion replaced. Also control arm and tie rod end. An extra $1100 on top of rotor costs. Is this car safe for her and her two year old son to be on the highways with ? Dodge should be ashamed. Submitted by concerned father/grandpa. Hope this saves a life.

Shimmy at 73-80 mph visable steering wheel shakes and shimmys at 73mph car was at dealer for problem and the dealer rebalanced the wheels. No effect problem still exists. Car was returned to another dealer and wheels were rotated. No effect problem still exists. Several other owners have same problems with srt/8 models. Remidies have been replacing tie rod ends, wheel bearings, road force balance of wheels and replacement of steering rack. There needs to be a TSB for this problem.