STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Sep 20, 1999
422 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES HAVE DUAL AXLE STEERING WITH A HYDRAULIC VALVE WHICH DIVERTS POWER ASSIST FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AS NECESSARY. THE HYDRAULIC VALVE CAN BE CONTAMINATED CAUSING THE VALVE TO MALFUNCTION.
The risk: IF THE VALVE FAILS, THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST OR THE INABILITY TO SWITCH POWER STEERING ASSIST FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THIS WILL INHIBIT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING CONTROL VALVE AND PARKING BRAKE INTERLOCK FOR PROPER OPERATION. CONTAMINATED OR MALFUNCTIONING UNITS WILL BE REPLACED.