Table 1 shows three common steering related problems of the 1999 Suzuki Vitara.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Steering Column problems | |
| Steering Knuckle Spindle problems | |
| Steering Wheel problems |
The contact owns a 1999 Suzuki Vitara. The contact stated that he has extreme difficulty turning the steering column because it remains in a fixated position. He inspected the steering fluid and concluded that the levels were normal. The dealer stated that although he was experiencing the same failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 98v324002 (steering:wheel and handle bar), the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 138,000.
Consumer was driving at 5-10 mph going around a left hand curve when steering spindle failed ,completly snapped, causing loss of vehicle control, and resulting in an accident. Consumer claimed it was already 1/3 snapped, defective from the factory.
Consumer states that when starting to drive over 60 mph the car begins to shake and when going over bumps it also vibrates. Dealer was contacted and the tires were rebalanced but the problems still stands.