I bought a 2011 CR-V with 8500 miles on it 3 months ago. Took it in for an oil change last week and my mechanic says that all the power steering fluid has leaked out and filled the boots and that the power steering rack needs to be replaced, which is apparently a $2k job.

The car is about 6 months out of factory warranty and I'm taking it back to let CarMax have a look next week. Does anyone have any idea how this could have happened on such a low mileage vehicle?

A few other issues that my mechanic alerted me to: 1) the front driver-side suspension upright is completely covered in surface rust and 2) the rubber on the brake pedal has been worn down to the metal. Basically, he says the underside of the vehicle looks more like it has 50,000 miles on it and that something just doesn't add up.

I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on what could have possibly happened to this vehicle and any advice on how I should proceed.

Thanks!

 

I really have no insight to your problem however, my wifes 2007 CRV needed an entire rack replacement at about 20k and was covered under warranty. I didn't know her at the time so I really don't have details but when I was doing a complete service on it this week I had the dealer print a history and it was on there. She had mentioned something about them replacing an axle or something, I hadn't drempt is was the entire rack. I would think a "well placed" conversation with the service manager and if need be the area service director would get you taken care of on this under warranty.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Carmax replaced the steering rack at no charge. Still a little disturbing.

 

Mine went out at 9,954 miles 9 month after I bought it brand new. Thought it was freak fluke apparently is more common then I thought.