Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

My 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse was in for servicing the timing belt. The service manager called me to ask if I would approve an upgrade for an idler pulley for the ac/power steering belt. Since the cost was about $190, I said "no. " after picking the car up and driving home, the ac/power steering belt came off and I lost the power steering. I took the car back to the dealer and they told me that this would happen because I did not have the $190 upgrade done. This is a safety issue. Because the original part is defective, and Mitsubishi knows that it is, it should be recalled. When the belt comes off power steering is lost and could easily cause an accident. The $190, parts only, cost is also excessive. This is merely and idler pulley that manually adjusts the tension to this belt.

The power steering failed causing loss of hydraulic pressure. The vehicle has only 5,000 miles on it. Was told by a mechanic that this was common for the vehicle to act like that.