2000 Pontiac Bonneville steering problems

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WHILE DRIVING THE BONNEVILLE THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN, LOOSES ALL POWER. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALSO JUST ON LOCAL CITY DRIVING. YOU CAN BE GOING 30 MPH OR 65 MPH. CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN (WHICH IS VERY SCARY GOING 65 MPH) AND SOMEONE ON YOUR BUMPER. LOOSES POWER STEERING SO ITS HARD TO MOVE OVER LANES ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WE HAVE FOUND YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ON THE FIRST TURN OF THE KEY BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES OF TURNING THE KEY, ALL THIS WHILE COASTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH PEOPLE BUZZING ALL AROUND YOU. THE ONE TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS RIGHT BY THE GARAGE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO, TOOK IT OVER, THEY RAN A CHECK ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NOTHING CAME UP. THEY ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITHOUT JUST START RANDOMLY CHANGING PARTS THEY THINK IT MIGHT PERTAIN TO? ANY SUGGESTIONS, THIS ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT DOES THIS, AND ITS JUST RANDOM WHEN IT DOES DO IT, NO WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #10700689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT GETS VERY BAD BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I HAVE HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT, AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALL 3 HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE SHAKING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT RODS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE SHOCKS AND THE TIRES ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING IT CONSTANTLY DESTROYS MY FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WHICH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT ALSO MAKES IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS ONE OF THE SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT ASSEMBLIES WERE SO DESTROYED FROM THE SHAKING THAT I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DID NOT FOLD UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED FOR 3 YEARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY. I HAVE ALSO READ ON CONSUMER REVIEW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR BONNEVILLE IN THE SAME YEAR (2000) AND AGAIN, NO SHOPS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE REASON BEHIND THE SHAKING. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THIS ISSUE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10496390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT GETS VERY BAD BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I HAVE HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT, AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALL 3 HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE SHAKING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT RODS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE SHOCKS AND THE TIRES ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING IT CONSTANTLY DESTROYS MY FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WHICH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT ALSO MAKES IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS ONE OF THE SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT ASSEMBLIES WERE SO DESTROYED FROM THE SHAKING THAT I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DID NOT FOLD UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED FOR 3 YEARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY. I HAVE ALSO READ ON CONSUMER REVIEW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR BONNEVILLE IN THE SAME YEAR (2000) AND AGAIN, NO SHOPS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE REASON BEHIND THE SHAKING. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THIS ISSUE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10496393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT GOING BAD MAKING THE CAR FRONT END SHIMMY BETWEEN 65-70 MPH. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES MAKING SURE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED TWICE. AND OF ALL THE THREADS I HAVE BEEN READING THE PROBLEM IS IN THIS SHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #10203596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN HIS 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (FAILURE MILEAGE 112000 ) SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO IN REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD POP. SHE TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN WITH THE TIRE. THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP STATED THAT SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH NOR HAS SHE STRUCK ANYTHING FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TO HAVE FAILED. *NM UPDATED 2/27/2007 -

NHTSA complaint #10178803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS A HOLLOW POUNDING SOUND. ALSO, THE SOUND OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR TRAVELING FASTER THAN 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE PART FAILED AGAIN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT MORE THAN 7 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 3/25/08

NHTSA complaint #10173585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TRUNK AREA LEAKS AND WATER BUILDS UP IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE. CLANKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING EITHER DIRECTION DURING COLDER WEATHER. FRONT DRIVERS SEAT HEATER WORKED THEN QUIT FOR NO REASON, PUSH BUTTON ON & LIGHT COMES ON BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. WIPERS WHILE IN INTERMITTENT WILL STOP DURING A SWEEP ACROSS WINDSHIELD, WHEN TURNED ON OR OFF ALSO TURNS ON/OFF THE DASH LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME, AND WHILE IN INTERMITTENT IF BLINKER IS USED THE WIPER WILL STOP DURING A SWEEP ACROSS WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #10171169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND LUBRICATED TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. CONTINUES TO CLUNK WHEN TURNING THE CAR. GENERAL MOTORS WAS CONTACTED AND ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND SAID THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX. RIGHT NOW THE FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND CAN BE COSTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10168840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE SHAFT WAS GREASED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - THE NOISE COULD ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10166329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A HESITATION, AN ODOR OF FUEL, AND A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE SEAT WHERE THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE GOT HARDER TO START, UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START IN OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, WHILE TURNING, THERE WAS A CRACKLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLETE TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED.

NHTSA complaint #10152002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 2000 PONTIAC BONNIVILLE AND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT THERE IS A CLUNKING OR GRINDING NOISE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10138175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING(INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT).

NHTSA complaint #10114045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING(INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT).

NHTSA complaint #10114045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING, STOPPING AND APPLYING THE BRAKE. *NM *SC

NHTSA complaint #10109752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

OWNER OF 200 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, REQUESTING A DEFECT AND RECENT RECALL INVESTIGATION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS SEVERELY WORN.

NHTSA complaint #10108707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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EQUIPMENT FAILURE OF STEERING PART CALLED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #10103039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 2000 BONNEVILE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND ALL THEY EVER DO IS PUT LUBRICATION IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE MECHANIC WHERE I GET MY OIL CHANGED SAYS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS LEAKING LUBRICATION AND NEEDS REPLACING. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN FRANKLIN, TN BACK IN THE SPRING OF THIS YEAR, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO TO MAKE THE POPPING GO AWAY AND THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT SINCE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THEY WOULD NOT CONTINUE LUBRICATING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITHOUT CHARGING FOR THIS SERVICE. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. JOHNNY DONEGAN.

NHTSA complaint #10100007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

I HAVE A 2000 BONNEVILE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND ALL THEY EVER DO IS PUT LUBRICATION IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE MECHANIC WHERE I GET MY OIL CHANGED SAYS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS LEAKING LUBRICATION AND NEEDS REPLACING. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN FRANKLIN, TN BACK IN THE SPRING OF THIS YEAR, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO TO MAKE THE POPPING GO AWAY AND THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT SINCE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THEY WOULD NOT CONTINUE LUBRICATING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITHOUT CHARGING FOR THIS SERVICE. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. JOHNNY DONEGAN.

NHTSA complaint #10100007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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INCIDENT DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. I HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN MY STEERING AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE NOISE WAS BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN, THE TWO PIECES ARE CLUNKING TOGETHER. MADE THAT WAS IN CASE OF A CRASH. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD TAKE IT APART, GREASE IT AND THAT IT MIGHT NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT DONE. I TOLD THEM THAT BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SIMPLY THE TWO PIECES CLUNKING TOGETHER AND THAT IT WOULD NOT HURT ANYTHING I DID NOT GET THE LUBRICATION. NOW 8-30-2004 MY STEERING HOWLS SOMETIMES. I HAD MY BROTHER-IN-LAW CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS LOW. HE IS A MECHANIC OF OVER 25 YEARS AND STATES THAT POWER STEERING FLUID DOES NOT EVAPORATE AND MUST BE LEAKING AND MOST LIKELY INDICATE A GREATER PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE GROUND. I READ THE OTHERS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. MY HOPE IN WRITING IS THAT PONTIAC WILL STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10088833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

HERE AND FEEL A SLIGHT CLUNKING WHILE TURNING. I AM TOLD BY MY FATHER WHO REPLACED THE RACK ON HIS 2000 BONNEVILLE THAT IT IS THE RACK STARTING TO GO ON MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE $700(+) FOR PARTS ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #10083083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION STEERING PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #10083656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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COMPLAINED TO PONTIAC DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT STEERING IS BINDING WHILE TURNING. COMPLAINTS WERE AT 19,539, 29,736 AND 43,686 MILES. AT 19,539 MILES, DEALERSHIP FOUND BULLETIN # 99-02-32-007A AND REMOVED/REPLACED POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC RETURN OUTLET AND PRESSURE INLET HOSE. AT 29,736 MILE, STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED. AT 43,686 MILES STEERING SHAFT REMOVED AND LUBRICATED. AT 50,000 THE BINDING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I WILL BE TAKING TO THE SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. IT SEEMS THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER IS DOING "NICKLE & DIME" FIXES UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOT FIXING THE REAL PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED THERE'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10073021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SINCE I OWNED THE CAR I HAVE HAD THESE THINGS FIXED: 1 WINDOW REGULATOR, 1 POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, POWER STEERING WORK (AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED) HOOD REPAINTED AND IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. NOW I NEED TO HAVE 2 WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED AT $400 A PIECE. I'M HAVING SOME LOAD HUMMING NOISE WHEN USING BRAKES BUT I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TRUNK LEAKS SO I CAN NOT USE IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING GETS WET.

NHTSA complaint #10068035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP

NHTSA complaint #10039530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKY NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS INSTALLED. THE CLUNKING NOISE WAS FOUND TO BE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT IN WHICH THE STEERING KNUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A NEW STEERING SHAFT COUPLER WAS INSTALLED. THE CLUNKING NOISE REMAINED AND CURRENTLY THE RACK AND PINION IS SUSPECT. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10040338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

BONNEVILLE WITH 37,000 MILES. NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WORST BEING UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN CAR KEEPS GOING STRAIGHT THEN A CLUNK IS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AND THE CAR FINALLY GOES RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. DEALER WAS ALSO ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER FINDS SOME TYPE OF METAL LODGED IN BETWEEN THE LINKS ON THE RACK. RACK IS REPLACE UNDER PREFERRED WARRANTY. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 14 DAYS FOR A REAR WINDOW SEAL LEAK, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10030512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE VEHICLES STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. *MR *CB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10026728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

GRINDING OR SQUEALING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED. DEALER HAS PLACED RACK 3 TIMES, NOISE STILL THERE ALTHOUGH INTERMITENT. REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10020906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

GRINDING OR SQUEALING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED. DEALER HAS PLACED RACK 3 TIMES, NOISE STILL THERE ALTHOUGH INTERMITENT. REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10020906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.