On certain vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy. When subjected to stresses that arise in the normal operation of the vehicle, it is possible that a section of the steering tie rod may crack or fail, impairing steering ability. In certain conditions, this could lead to a loss of steering control which could result in a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Kia Canada Inc. will replace the steering rack assembly on all affected vehicles at the port of entry prior to distribution to dealers.
On certain vehicles, a hose clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooler hose may not provide sufficient clamping force, which could allow the hose to disconnect from the cooler. The resulting loss of power steering fluid could damage the power steering pump and may diminish the steering power assist function, which could lead to a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering hose clamp.
On certain vehicles, the steering yoke may not have been welded to the steering shaft during assembly. Separation of the yoke and the steering shaft would result in a loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering column assembly.
On certain vehicles, the inner tie rod assemblies may crack and eventually break. Such a failure would result in separation of a tie rod from the steering rack, causing a loss of steering control which could result in a crash.
On certain vehicles, the steering gear may contain a gear piston that was assembled with an incorrect re-circulating ball tube retainer. An incorrect retainer may result in an improperly retained re-circulating ball tube, which may not keep the re-circulating balls in place during steering gear actuation. If the re-circulating balls become dislodged, a vehicle operator may notice noise and increased steering efforts that may eventually progress to impaired steering or potential loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering gear.
On certain vehicles, the bolt that attaches the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear may fracture resulting in the loss of steering control. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft to steering gear bolt.
On certain minivans equipped with a 3.3L or 3.8L engine, the upper power steering cooler hose could split, causing a fluid leak. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the upper power steering hose.
Certain vehicles were built with right rear body mounts that contain cracks or voids. A crack could propagate during use of the vehicle, resulting in audible creaking, groaning, or clicking noises. If the driver ignores these warnings, both rear body mounts could eventually become detached from the frame structure. If this occurred, the steering intermediate shaft could become detached from the rack and pinion steering assembly, resulting in a total loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the front frame assembly for specific Julian date stamps and replace the engine cradle assembly, if necessary.
On certain vehicles, the power steering hydraulic fluid delivery pipe from the pump to the steering rack could leak. This minor leakage may cause or could lead to a gradual reduction of the assisted steering function. Such circumstances could lead to a loss of vehicle control and may result in a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering high pressure pipe.
On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L non-turbo engine and an automatic transaxle, routing variation in the high pressure power steering hose could allow contact with the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose. Subsequent fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under-hood fire.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end.
On certain vehicles, Ford has issued a scheduled maintenance guide update which specifies that every 20 000 kms, the steering linkage, which includes tie-rod ends, should be inspected. The vehicle owner is asked to place the tie-rod end inspection procedure supplied with this maintenance guide update in the vehicle's glove box for reference and safekeeping. The vehicle owner is to provide the inspection procedure to their repair facility to help properly identify worn tie-rod ends. Performing the vehicle scheduled maintenance, including maintenance inspections, is the responsibility of the vehicle owner. Failure to replace worn tie-rod ends may eventually result in a tie-rod end separation that could adversely affect steering control. If the inspection reveals that a tie-rod end is worn and must be replaced, the repair will be at the owner's expense unless the vehicle is still covered by the basic vehicle warranty, or has an extended service plan coverage that includes these components.
On certain vehicles, two of the four securing bolts in the steering assembly may not have had a locking compound applied to the threads prior to installation. As a result, the bolts may loosen if the vehicle is driven aggressively, and in certain situations the driver could lose steering control and crash.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, TWO OF THE FOUR SECURING BOLTS IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE HAD A LOCKING COMPOUND APPLIED TO THE THREADS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. AS A RESULT, THE BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE WHEN THE CARS ARE DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY.
Safety Risk
SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO AFFECTED BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.
On certain vehicles, the pinch bolt that attaches the drag link to the pitman arm may not have been tightened to the required torque value. This condition could allow the pinch bolt to loosen and allow the drag link and pitman arm to separate resulting in uncontrollable steering and potential for a vehicle crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealer will install a new pinch bolt and tighten to the required torque.
On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary. This is an extension of recall 02-199
On certain vehicles, the low-pressure power steering return line connection may not have been fully seated at the steering gear during vehicle assembly. If the return line is not fully seated, a power steering fluid leak may occur. A power steering fluid leak may create the potential for power steering fluid to come in contact with the exhaust system, which could result in smoke or fire.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealer will inspect the power steering return line connection.
On certain vehicles, the upper steering column shaft coupling could separate from the steering input shaft due to improperly tightened upper steering coupling bolts. This could cause the driver to lose the ability to steer the vehicle, resulting in a vehicle crash with the possibility of occupant injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealer will torque the upper steering coupling bolts to specs.
On certain vehicles, the steering may become stiff due to overheating of the power steering fluid causing damage to the hydraulic seals in the steering box and pump.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealer will replace the power steering cooling coil, oil tank, oil line, pump and box.
On certain vehicles, the power steering pressure hose may come into contact with the exhaust manifold and leak. If the pressure hose was to leak power steering fluid onto a hot exhaust manifold, it could cause a vehicle fire.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealer will reposition the power steering pressure hose.
On certain vehicles, interference between the lower ball joint rubber boot and the steering knuckle could result in cutting the boot. If the lower ball joint boot were cut, contamination from the road could enter the ball socket area of the ball joint. Contamination could cause the ball joint to wear out faster than one that remained sealed.
