2000 Gem E-825

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-AND 4-PASSENGER UTILITY (SHORT AND LONG) VEHICLES. FAILURE OF THE BALL BEARING ASSEMBLIES CAN OCCUR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT IS UNRESTRAINED AND IS FREE TO EXTRICATE ITSELF FROM THE BEARING HOUSING.

Risk. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL TAB-OVER STYLE ROLTOM BEARINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GEM AT 701-232-2500.

CALLED DEALER ABOUT RECALL AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT, BUT DEALER DID NOT SHOW FOR APPOINTMENT. HAD TO RESCHEDULE.*AK *YD

RECALL 01 V 343 000/STEERING: RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, WAS INFORMED TO CALL GEM 1-888/871-4367, AND THEY WOULD CALL AND LET HIM KNOW WHERE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE. NO CALL WAS RECEIVED AT THIS TIME. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT OUT TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE TIE ROD END FELL APART. *AK A DESCRIPTION OF MORE PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE RACK AND PINION FAILED, THERE WERE REPEATED FRONT END PROBLEMS (YOKE SHAFT/YOKE BOLTS HAD BROKEN), THE ALIGNMENT HAD TO BE ADJUSTED, AND THE TIRES WERE WEARING DUE TO A BROKEN NUT IN THE FRONT END/CAMBER. *JB *SCC

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. ALSO, CAMBER HAD TO BE ADJUSTED ONCE AGAIN. *AK FRONT END OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND ADJUSTED. REPLACED SEAT BELT. STEERING IS HARD. KING PINS ON PASSENGER SIDE SEIZED. KING PINS REPLACED. RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CONTROLED DUE TO FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER COULD NOT STATE WHAT WAS THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL LEAKAGE ON FUEL RAIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 01V34300/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01V34300 NOTICE. CALLED MANUFACTURER ABOUT REPAIR AND MANUFACTURER STATED DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK