Chrysler Repair: 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY TILT STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION, rancho santa margarita, santa margarita ca

Question
I have a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Edition.  I pulled the lever inwards to adjust the tilt steering wheel, made the adjustment, then released the lever, but the steering wheel will not lock in place the way it used to - just continues as if the lever is still pulled forward.  Any idea what caused this?  I am afraid to drive it and am single mom with 2 disabled boys.  I bought this vehicle used last year and (74k miles) and purchased the extended warrantly coverage for another 25k miles, which is supposed to cover everything.  It now has about 85k miles.  I just want to have an idea so when I take it to dealer they don't try to tell me it is something outside of warranty.  Thank you so much for your help!  P.S. I live in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Orange County)

Answer
Hi Cynthia,
You would want to read the paperwork about the warranty coverage to see whether the steering column is excluded specifically or not. Also what the wording is about included items. Unfortunately the shop manuals don't show any details for repairing the tilt mechanism so I can't tell you whether it can be fixed or whether a new/used column would be required. So it could go either way as to how this is fixed. Best of luck, and please let us know what happens. If you feel that you are not getting the coverage to which you are entitled the remedy may be small claims court.
Roland