A worn or damaged component. Suggest to have someone wiggle the steering back and forth while you inspect for excessive play.
It is usually caused by either a bad tire, or loose steering components.
Loose ball joints will cause excessive tire wear, and if they come apart the wheel assembly could come loose. This would cause a complete loss of steering control.
No power steering fluid, broken pump, or broken lines.
Check for a loose power steering belt.
check the power steering rack or the steering pump
A loose wire would cause the horn to stop working on your Dodge Avenger 2.4L engine.
Could be a broken Power Steering belt or low fluid level or power steering pump failure.
There are 4 bolts at the bottom of the steering column that tend to get loose after entering and exiting your vehicle. Pulling your self up on the steering wheel puts stress the steering column and causes it to become loose. If you do not correct the problem fast by tightening the bolts you will have to replace the entire steering column.. -Henry's locksmith and steering column repair
Bad bearing?
Ball joint, tierod end separation; loose pitman arm, etc.
Bad mount on the steers, worn/loose/damaged steering components, axles out of alignment.
You have to replace the entire steering column. It is not loose, the lock is broken on your column height adjuster.