1996 Eagle Vision Complaint Log

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *JB

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.

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. *TR

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.*AK

STRUT FAILURE. RIGHT FRONT STRUT RUSTED OUT, COLLAPSED, ALLOWING STRUT SUPPORTING COIL SPRING TO DROP. *BF *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER PLACED THE VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE O2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WERE REPLACED. CONSUMERR INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

1996 EAGLE VISION 3.3L EXHIBITED SAME SYMPTOMS AS OUTLINED IN RECALL FOR SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (EXCEPT FOR 3.5L) CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKED FROM RIGHT SIDE AND REAR OF ENGINE. REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED THAT FEUL RAIL HAD DISCONNECTED FROM FUEL LINE AND ADVISED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. CONTACTED NUMEROUS CHRYSLER DEALERS FOR ADVICE ON REPAIRS SHORT OF REPLACEENT AND THEY STATED THAT THEY EITHER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEM OR WHERE UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE PROBLEM. HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS MYSELF, WHICH WILL RUN NEARLY 700 DOLLARS. FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THESE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL, AND THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.*AK

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK RECALL 04V021000, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. (EAGLE VISION/TSI) *SC *JB

ABOUT A YEAR AGO CONSUMER TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL 04V021000 REPAIRS CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFTER. THEY EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS, AND THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. SINCE THEN, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL, LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THE PARTS WERE IN. ALSO, RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL LETTER HAVING TO DO WITH THE SAME COMPONENT.*AK *BF

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

MY MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR IS THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS FAILED 2 TIMES WITHIN 64262 MILES. THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE LINKAGES AND POWER STEERING PUMP(S) ARE LESS TROUBLING BUT MAY BE RELATED. IT IS MY OPINION THE TIRE WEAR HAS BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF GOODYEAR EAGLE GAS GUARANTEED AT 48,000 EACH (96,000 TOTAL) IN ONLY 68905 MILES. THE FIRST RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 32556 MILES. THE SECOND RACK WAS REPLACED AT 64262 MILES. SHORTLY THEREAFTER (65832 MILES) AND WHILE ON A TRIP TO ST. LOUIS THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND I HAD ROYAL OAKS CHRYSLER-JEEP IN ST. PETERS, MO (636) 928-8000 REPLACE THE INNER TIE-ROD BUSHINGS. UPON MY RETURN TO DAYTON, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE PROBLEM HAD IMPROVED BUT WAS NOT CORRECTED. AT 66396 MILES TOM HARRIGAN CHRYSLER REPLACED 2 MORE BUSHINGS (PART # 4755001), FRONT STRUTS, AND THE LINK-SWAY ELIMINATOR. THE CAR IS NOW SAFE BUT THERE ARE SQUEAKS AND HYDROLIC GROWLING COMING FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM THAT THE MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE MECHANIC AT TOM HARRIGAN CHRYSLER INDICATED THAT STEERING PROBLEMS LIKE MINE ARE COMMON ON THE EAGLE, AND OTHER LHS CARS OF THIS VINTAGE. COMMON OR NOT, I SEE MULTIPLE FAILURES OF A MAJOR STEERING COMPONENT AS A SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT TO ME AND MY FAMILY. A MEAN-TIME-BETWEEN-FAILURES OF 34,000 MILES IS EVIDENCE TO ME THAT THE STEERING RACK DOES NOT POSESS THE REASONABLE DURABILITY EXPECTED/DEMANDED OF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. IT IS ALSO INDICITIVE OF A MATERIAL/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FACT THAT SO MANY STEERING COMPONENTS FAILED IN MY EAGLE VISION AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURES ARE RELATED, AT LEAST IN PART, AND I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS NOT AT THE WHEEL WHEN THE MOST SERVE SHAKING (AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL) OCCURRED.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN A STORM AND WINDSHIELD WIPER JUST STOPPED WORKING. PLASTIC PART IN THE ARM WAS WORN OUT. WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED RATHER THAN THE PART ITSELF. OWNER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

TWO SEPARATE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY. FIRST, ON A YEARLY BASIS THE RUBBER ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PEELS OFF THE WIPER BLADES WHILE IN USE. SECOND, JULY 2000 THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A STORM. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE OF MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE THE WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A SMALL PLASTIC PART WHICH WORE OUT. THIS PLASTIC PART IS HIDDEN UNDER THE EXTERIOR WINDSHIELD TRIM OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO WAY TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE PART WITHOUT REMOVING THE TRIM AND BECAUSE THE PART STOPS WORKING DURING USE IN BAD WEATHER WITH NO WARNING TO THE DRIVER...THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN. WHEN THE WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING A STORM IT IS MOST LIKELY A DRIVER COULD HAVE A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD AREA WOULD BE SMASHED. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE WIPER ASSEMBLY BEING DESTROYED AND NOT BEING IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. I THINK THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE AGE OF AUTOMOBILES AND THE POSSIBLE WEARING OUT OF THIS PART. ALSO, A CONCERN EXISITS BECAUSE OTHER CAR MODELS MAY HAVE THIS SAME DESIGN IN THEIR MANUFACTURED PARTS AND DUE TO DAMAGE IN HEAD-ON COLLISIONS IT IS NOT SHOWING UP AS THE CAUSE. *AK

STEERING VERY VERY LOOSE AND CLUNKY, WITH MUCH SLOP AND RESULTING HORRIBLE TIRE WEAR. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO RACK & PINION ITSELF, IT JUST BECOMES DANGEROUSLY LOOSE DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED MOUNTING BUSHINGS. MFR ADVISES NO BUSHINGS SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO "MOLDED DESIGN" (UNLIKE PREVIOUS MODELS OF SAME VEHICLE), MFR CLAIMS THAT ONLY OPTION IS TO PURCHASE "ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASS'Y AT $1,040 (PARTS ONLY)" EVEN THOUGH ONLY FAILURE IS THEIR MOUNTING BUSHING DESIGN. *AK

EA99031/STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION: WHILE BRAKING AND TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER CONFIRMED RACK AND PINION PROBLEM, REPAIRED IT AT OWNER'S COST. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, DENIES THAT DEFECT EXISTS. *AK *ML

PROBLEM WITH RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT MOUNT STEERING RACK TO BODY, AND RUBBER BUSHINGS AT INNER TIEROD ENDS. THESE RUBBER BUSHINGS COMPLETELY DISSINTAGRATED AND WERE COMPLETELY GONE. THIS CAUSED DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITIONS. THIS CN'T BE AN ISOLATED CASE. IT MUST BE POOR QUALITY MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT STAND UP TO THE JOB. THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED TO TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF RUBBER BUSHINGS WOULD INDICATE THIS. VERY DANGEOUS CONDITIONS ARE CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. IT MAKES THE CAR TOTALY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

TIE ROD PROBLEM ALSO. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 EAGLE VISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS 8 RECURRENCES.*JB

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V184000. CONTACTED DEALER & SET APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE ON GIVEN DATE. HAD JUST PICKED VEHICLE UP THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE FOR FUEL RAILS. DEALER CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT CONSUMER'S FOOT PRESSING IT. VEHICLE ACCERLERATED UP TO 70 MPH FOR A WHILE BEFORE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WHICH HELPED TO UNJAM IT. PLEASE ADD VIN #. *AK-

VEHICLE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON THE FUEL 0-RING, AFTER SERVICE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MJS

FUEL INJECTOR CROSSOVER O-RING FAILURE CAUSED MASSIVE FULE LEAK ON UPPER ENGINE BLOCK. CORRECTED PRIOR TO HAVING AN ENGINE FIRE. THIS INFORMATION PROVIDED AS RESULT OF RECALL NEWS FROM CRYSLER ON 12/30/98.

IRREGULAR STEERING AND TIRE WEAR FALL 98. INNER TIE ROD BUSHING NEARLY GONE. NOW SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. IS THIS RELATED TO DEFECT INVESTIGATION PE99044?

BOLTS IN STEERING HAVE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF.PREVIOUSLY, COOLING SYSTEM FAILED.PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE SYSTEM. THE PRESSURIZED PLASTIC COOLANT RETURN BOTTLE EXPLODED, RESULTING IN OCCASIONAL LEAKS.

AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR FREEZES UP. *AK

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING VENT. WENT TO TURN OFF VEHICLE ,SMOKE WAS STILL COMING OUT. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. POSSIBLE CAUSE ELECTRICAL WIRING. *AK

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING COLD WEATHER. LATER ON NOISE APPEARED TO GO AWAY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

COMING UPON STOP LIGHT/SIGN; APPLIED BRAKES; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM 1ST TIME; TOOK IT BACK & WAS TOLD MASTER CYLINDER FAILED & REPLACED IT. WORKED A SHORT TIME & THEN PROBLEM REAPPEARED. *AK

THE WATER PUMP FAILED ON MY WIFE TWICE DURING REGULAR DRIVING OF THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HE SECOND TIME WE HAD EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE PORTION OF THE WARRANTY. THE BATTERY DIED PREMATURALLY AND CAUSED A ELECTRIACL FAILURE TO ALL SYSTEMS.

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES DETERIORATE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. RUBBER ON THE BLADES PEELED AWAY AND CAME OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN/SNOW. CONSUMER REPLACED BLADES DURING THE LAST THREE WINTERS.DEALER/MFR. CONTACTED AND NO RESPONSE GIVEN. *AK

ABS: APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE; WHEELS LOCKED UP; REAR END FISHTAILED; LOST CONTROL, HIT CURB IN ROAD. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED IN A REAREND COLLISION. *AK

TRANSMISSION PAN SEAL LEAKED.

VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, PROBLEM ORIGINATED IN ASSEMBLY PLANT *AK

UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH, AT APPROX. 25MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, DUAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

MADE ATTEMPT TO BRAKE 150 FEET AWAY, BRAKE ACTION SEEMED INEFFECTIVE, CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD, REAR ENDING STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT, DISC BRAKES. *AK

UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH, AT APPROX. 25MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, DUAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING, CAUSING TIRE WEAR, AND POTENTIAL FOR OVER/UNDER STEERING IN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

MULTIPLE HAIRLINE CRACKS IN PAINTED STYLED STEEL WHEELS.I HAVE NOTICED IDENTICAL CONDITION ON OTHER EAGLES IN PARKING LOTS.DEALER IS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE CRACKS AND HAD NO SUGGESTIONS. IS THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM?*AK

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. *TT

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONSTANTLY AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CLOCK SPRING FAILING WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS

IS THE CAR DEALER SUPPOSE TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT AT NO COST TO ME? NHTSA# 98V184000 DT