leaking rack and pinion unit

[eecom]

Anybody else run ito this? I took mine in for a headlight bulb that was dim and asked the tech to also look at the low pressure power steering hose while he had it. I had done an oil change the day before and noticed several drops of power steering fluid on the return hose. He came back and told me he not only ordered a new hose but a new rack and pinion unit for me because it was leaking too. He said to take it home and put it away for the winter and they'll install the parts come spring. The car doesn't even have 9 thousand miles on it (2010) and I have had lots of weird problems. Rocker moldings cracked, door panel upper edge cracked, headlight bulb going dim (I guess the HID bulbs can slowly fail unlike the old filament type), defective hood stripes, front fender out of adjustment when new! This is the first real mechanical trouble so I guess it's just new car bugs. But damn! I know I'm going to purchase the extended warantee before the factory one runs out in June! Just wondering if anyone else had a leaking rack and pinion unit?

[UP4664]

I've had to have mine replaced too. I noticed the fluid was completely empty. The dealer filled it but I told them it should not empty on a new car. I found the leak when I started seeing the drips on the pavement. They replaced it but now I get a random grown noise in the steering. Usually during a K-Turn. (slow speed wheel turned hard). It doesnt happen frequently enough to get the dealer to hear it. You can't miss it when it happens.

[scotte2010]

I've been wondering about this as I noticed something dripping the other day, and I once in a great while and
will get a noise like the steering rod/arm is shuttering across some old rubber. I started looking things up and
it looks like there is a TSB on 2010 Challengers because of the hose getting crimped and sometimes breaking
causing the potential for an engine fire. Here is what I've been able to find:

RECALL - STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Make: DODGE
Model: CHALLENGER
Model Year: 2010
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Mfr's Report Date: OCT 07, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V475000

Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM P
Potential Number of Units Affected: 26397

Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence:
LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER'S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS K26. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

*********************

And here is the time frame of when they were built and the approx number affected. My was born 2 days before the end of the time period of when they noticed the problem. See the attached picture.

I meant to call the dealship today about this but forgot. Something that all should know. I found this on line as I am not the original owner so the first owner must have got the notice. Dodge now knows I own the car so should get mailings now on these kinds of things.

[eecom]

Thanks for the info! Although mine is leaking on the low pressure return hose, it was built July 29th 2009.....it fits in the dates.