HELLO. I HAD A SCARY INCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 2014, AND HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT AND IF IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN PG COUNTY MD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND CROSSED THE CENTER LINE INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING DUMP TRUCK. OBVIOUSLY I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH AND FORCE MY CAR BACK INTO THE CORRECT LANE AND THEN OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF STRENGTH I HAD. THE TRUCK WAS JUST ABOUT 30 FEET AWAY AND IF THE BREAK HAD BEEN A SECOND OR SO LATER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO TIME TO REACT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A BROKEN STRUT ASSEMBLY AND THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE BREAK LIKE THAT. IT WAS PRETTY TRAUMATIC TO THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD... OCCASIONALLY I READ ABOUT AN ACCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE CROSSES THE CENTER LINE INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE ARE LEFT WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THIS WAS DUE TO DRIVER INATTENTION OR IMPAIRMENT. WHEN YOU INVESTIGATE, DO YOU EVER FIND THAT THESE ACCIDENTS ARE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A VEHICLE PART? IF SO, CAN YOU SEE WAYS THAT THESE ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED, PERHAPS BY HAVING CERTAIN PARTS INSPECTED REGULARLY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10575984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 EAGLE VISION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INNER TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INNER TIE RODS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10444559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A USED 1996 EAGLE VISION TSI IN 2006. SHORTLY, I REALIZED THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS GOING. I SAID "WHAT DO YOU MEAN "GOING"?" HE SAID EAGLES WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND MINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE I HAD AN ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC BOUGHT AND INSTALLED A NEW RACK THAT LASTED FOR 1 AND 1/2 YEARS. THIS TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND DID NOT TELL HIM OF THE RACK PROBLEM BEFORE. HIS DIAGNOSIS: BROKEN RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. BY NOW THIS IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY ENGINEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10384660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 EAGLE VISION STEERING ALL OVER THE ROAD BAD RACK AND PINION DANGEROUS AND SEEMS TO BE IGNORED BY EVERYONE FOR YEARS SAFETY IS OF THE UTMOST AND IF YOU GUYS DO NOT DO A BETTER JOB THEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE AROUND.HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMEONE CLAIMS THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN DESIGN THERE ARE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS AND NOW THERE IS DUPLICATED REPAIRS BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN DO SOMETHING OR GET OUT OF THE CONSUMER BUSINESS.
NHTSA complaint #10274205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 EAGLE VISION TSI HAS A SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK ARE SHOT AND CLOSE TO FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS HAD SAFETY RELATED STEERING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10247313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AFTER DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY, AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL, THE CAR BEGAN GOING STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING! LUCKELY, NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND I MANAGED TO PUT ON THE BRAKES BEFORE I HIT SOMETHING. I FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED! ADDITIONALLY, BOTH FRONT TIRES NOW MOVED COMPLETELY INDEPENDANT OF EACH OTHER (ONE WOULD STAY STRAIGHT WHILE THE OTHER COULD VEER TO THE RIGHT!!) THIS MADE EVEN GETTING THE CAR UP ON A TOW BED ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE (ONE PERSON ON EACH SIDE MANHANDLING THE WHEELS TO GET IT TO ROLL UP STRAIGHT!) UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT BOTH THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE TIE-RODS TO THE STEERING RACK HAD SUDDENLY SHEERED OFF, LEAVING BOTH TIE-RODS LOOSE AND DANGLING!! PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY LOOSENESS OR SLOP IN THE STEERING, NOR DID I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ANY UNUSUAL FORCE TO BE EXERTED ON THE FRONT WHEELS. I HAD JUST FINISHED DRIVING 50-55MPH ON THE 2-LANE OREGON COAST HWY, A SCENIC BUT DANGEROUS STRETCH OF ROAD. IF THE BOLTS HAD GIVEN OUT 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT, OR MORE LIKELY KILLED! THIS MY CAR THAT I USE FOR WORK, AND WILL HAVE TO REPAIR IT, BUT HONESTLY...I'M REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT!!
NHTSA complaint #10185540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I WAS ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE WHEN POWER-ASSISTED RACK AND PINION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. DUE TO SLOW SPEED, NO CRASH OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10182636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1997 EAGLE VISION WITH 64K MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION ON BRAKING, DURING INSPECTION THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR IS WORN AND EXHIBITS TOO MUCH PLAY. INTERNET SEARCH RESULTS REVEAL THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS FAMILY OF VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10176341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING INNER BUSHING WAS BURNED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE THE WOBBLING. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS MOST COMMON IN VEHICLES WITH LH PLATFORM.
NHTSA complaint #10165465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING CORNERS HAS TO BE STRONG TO TURN, IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAY CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THERE IS A RECALL THAT INCLUDES THE TRANS AXLE, BUT NOT THE RACK AND PINION. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON MAY 30, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10133748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOLTS IN RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE TIGHTENED CONSTANTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR TWO YEARS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. WHEN THE BOLTS BECAME LOOSE THE WHEEL LOCKED. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS, BUT IT ONLY LASTED FOR NO MORE THAN A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10130409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS WILL BE THE 4TH REPLACEMENT OF TIE ROD ENDS, TWICE ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND TWICE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE FOR 1996 EAGLE VISION, A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10104828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FATHER IN LAWS 1994 EAGLE VISION HAD COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE ONLY MOMENTS AFTER MY 16 YEAR OLD SON ARRIVED HOME. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR EAGLE AND INTREPID MODELS. IT HAPPENED ONLY YESTERDAY AND I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO REPAIR THE CAR BUT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE TIE ROD ENDS HAVE SHEARED OFF AND COMPLETELY DISABLED THE STEERING. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES SOONER MY SON WOULD HAVE BEEN ON ONE OF THE MOST CONGESTED ROADS IN OUR AREA AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER.
NHTSA complaint #10093770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING RACK AND PINION FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING TEMPORALLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10087463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE STEERING LINKS TO THE RACK AND PINION SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTED IN LOST OF STEERING POWER, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10082055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 1994 EAGLE VISION AND HAVE BEEN IN TO THE DEALERS AND OTHER REPAIR SHOPS ABOUT MY STEERING PROBLEM SINCE 1997. MANY TOLD ME THAT MY PROBLEM WAS STRUTS, BUT WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. FINALLY, THE LAST SHOP THAT I WENT INTO (FIRESTONE) TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY RACK & PINION SYSTEM THAT IS FAILING. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WHOLE RACK IS SHIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND IT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN IT. WHILE DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND. MY STEERING AND RIDE IS HORRIBLE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10056315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BUSHING AND THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT AND FOR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO WEAR OUT. THIS SAFETY HAZARD HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #567582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1998 AND HAVE HAD TO FIX IT MYSELF MANY TIMES. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY SOMEONE TO FIX IT. BUT IF THERE HAS EVER BEEN A LEMON IT IS THIS CAR. I HAVE TO SAY THE MOTOR IS A GOOD ONE. BUT EVERY THING SURROUNDING IT IS JUNK. AT THIS TIME IT IS IN MY MOMS GARAGE AND I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. RIGHT NOW IT NEEDS: 1.) TIMING BELT 2.) WIRING PROBLEM UNDER DASH-DOME LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME, A/C CONTROLS WON'T WORK PROPERLY. 3.) INNER TIE RODS NEED REPLACED AGAIN-(4TH TIME) 4.) SPARK PLUG WIRES GO BAD IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS.(THE GOOD ONES). 5.) TIRES ARE GOING BAD EVERY 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF TIERODS. 6,) PARKING BRAKE CABLE BROKE. 7.) CATALYTIC CONVERTER. 8.) FUEL RAIL O-RINGS NEED REPLACED. WHEN IT WAS RUNNING IT WAS CONSTANTLY DYING ON ME WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLING, AND FINALLY THE OTHER DAY (AFTER REPLACEING THE COIL PACK AND AN IGNITION RELAY) IT DIED AND WOULN'T RESTART AT ALL.........................WHAT CAN OR WILL YOU DO ABOUT THIS LEMON THAT I HAVE HAD TO CONSTANTLY FIX FOR THE WHOLE 4 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR//????????????????
NHTSA complaint #766195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING COULD MAKE TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT AND A LOUD NOISE WILL COME FROM FRONT TIRES. CONSUME BELIEVED IT HAD TO DUE WITH STEERING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.