The problem
If the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the lower steering shaft in the upper shaft break, the lower steering shaft can separate from the upper shaft.
The risk
If the lower steering shaft separates from the upper shaft, loss of vehicle control can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
The fix
Dealers will add a restraining sleeve to the intermediate steering shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft moving in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 96V-230 (96V230000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Component | Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar |
| Report date | November 18, 1996 |
| Owners notified | February 7, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 475,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the steering
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 96V-230 repair free?
Yes. Dodge dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will add a restraining sleeve to the intermediate steering shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft moving in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 475,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.