1999 GMC Safari

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAFARI. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2005, THE STEERING IDLER ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAS LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT HAS PUT 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN TWO YEARS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IDLER ARMS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 99,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ON 4 OCCASIONS, APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH, THE KEY HAS BEEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND FAILED TO TURN. ON 3RD OCCASION, DEALER FOUND SHIFTER CABLE INTERMITTENTLY GETTING STUCK, AND NOT ALLOWING IGNITION TO RELEASE. THEY ALSO FOUND CASE JAMMING UP. THEY REPLACED STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY CAR IS AT DEALER FOR THE 4TH OCCURRENCE. THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT OUR DRIVING/PARKING HABITS ARE PERHAPS TO BLAME; WE FEEL THAT, AS MATURE, GOOD-DRIVING ADULTS IN OUR LATE 40'S WHO HAVE DRIVEN MANY TYPES OF CARS AND VANS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS WITHOUT EVER ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM, - THAT THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THE MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION/STEERING COLUMN IS HIGHLY SENSITIVE, AND DEFINITELY HAS A DEFECT. MY HUSBAND AND I FEAR THAT WE ARE SOMEDAY GOING TO GET STUCK IN A FAR-AWAY PLACE OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOB WITH A CAR WHOSE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM, AND I WONDER WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO DO FOR US. *AK