13 of the
203 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Cirrus are about the
steering — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
80,000 miles.
PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL "KNUCKLE" BROKE OFF WHERE SUPPORT ARM TO VEHICLE ATTACHES. THIS CAUSES REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO LOOSE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. REAR WHEEL IS THEN FREE TO TWIST IN ALL DIRECTIONS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. THE "KNUCKLE" IS CAST ALUMINUM AND HAS NO MOVING PARTS WHICH CAN WEAR OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10037217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES
THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL AS THE CAR WAS BEING BACKED DOWN A DRIVEWAY. THIS MADE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY UNCONTROLLABLE. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED AT VERY LOW SPEED IN THE DRIVE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE HAD OUR 3 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE SHOP THAT FIXED THE TIE ROD SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY OF THE CIRRUS' WITH THIS FAILURE. THE JOINT ON THE TIE ROD INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURE WAS A SEALED TYPE AND HAD DRIED OUT AND RUSTED AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #766436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE BACKING INTO GARAGE, RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK DEALER FOUND THE BALL AND SOCKET HAD RUSTED BADLY CAUSING THE SOCKET TO FALL OFF THE BALL. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8011540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD END BROKE AT RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WHEEL TURNED SIDEWAYS AND CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. ROAD WAS DRY AND THE CAR SLID STRAIGHT AHEAD. REPLACE BOTH OUTER TIE RODS
NHTSA complaint #9005427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, WAS TURNING A CORNER NEAR HOME AT 5MPH WHEN OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY. WAS TOWED TO DEALER & MECHANIC INDICATED TIE ROD SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN DUE TO VEHICLE BEING NEW. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALER FOR TIE ROD PART.
NHTSA complaint #873085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicopee, MA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, AND THE TIE ROD BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #830904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Loui, MO
STEERING
STEERING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #528912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Loui, MO
STEERING
STEERING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #528911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILS TO WORK AND LOCKS UP DAILY UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARM.
NHTSA complaint #528352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #520483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Joseph, MI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN MEETS THE FLOORBOARD THERE IS A KNUCKLE. THE KNUCLE IS NOT COVERED. THE FLOOR MAT SLIDES INTO THE KNUCLE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. THE DEALER HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE OWNER USE MANUFACTURER'S FLOOR MATS TO PREVENT SLIDING.
NHTSA complaint #816427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STEERING LINE FELL OFF RACK/PINION.
NHTSA complaint #502673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.