1997 Eagle Vision Steering Problems

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.

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!!

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. *JB

EAGLE VISION - 1997 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CASUALTY DUE TO THE SHEARING OFF OF BOLTS FROM THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MECHANISM. *NM

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE STEERING RACK AND 2 TIE RODS SNAPPED, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TIE RODS AND THE STEERING RACK WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE 2 TIE RODS SNAPPED, THE STEERING RACK HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 32000 MILES. *JB

AT 22,000 MILES MY VEHICLE LOST 50% OF ITS LEFT TURN RADIUS WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 49,000 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS BEYOND THE 3/36 WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY THE ENTIRE $1400 FOR A NEW RACK AND PUMP. I AM IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND HAVE REGULAR CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND THEIR AUTOMOBILES. OTHER OWNERS OF THE EAGLE VISION TSI AND ESI FROM 94 THRU 97 TELL OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR STEERING. I FIND THIS BEYOND COINCIDENTAL AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE AN OPEN RECALL TO REPAIR A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS PRODUCT FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. DENNIS OLSON. *AK