All i can say is that the new one (Dec 2011) i have got the problem much sooner than the old one (09)....(by about 50k km)..perhaps the 17" rims put more strain on the steering arms than the 19"s???...As anyone who has driven in Tassy knows, nobody who designs roads here owns a ruler...(lots of curves on every road!)....and i do a LOT of Km's very quickly (6-7 weks between 10k services)....and about 10% dirt roads...my 2 have been battle tested fairly well! Klugers have problems..steering arms, hesitation in gearbox (4wd worse)...slack in drivetrain, rear wheel bearings (140k).....wont start quickly in hot weather, o ring on fuel filter leakage (you'll find out at 80k service !)...expensive tyres (19"s especially), headlights blowing every 40k (09 one).....I've had them all ! Unless you clock up the kms like me, you will find them very reliable....ive driven my 2 on rough dirt, 2ft of snow, ice, endless country roads, 2-3ft of water... and found them a good thing, overall. But the have their foilbles like any man made creation! Dont be put off, just do your homeowrk...check the steering arm, be prepared for 80 + 100k services to cost a bomb (spark plugs $50 each!)...and enjoy. Better than amaroks, which are known for EGR valves stuffing up and burning fuel like its free, or spitting $800 computer boxes if you put them in water !