Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Intrepid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 61 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 61, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR BUSHING AND MOTOR MOUNTS WORE PREMATURELY AND NEEDED CONSTANT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
RACK AND PINION / STEERING ISSUES IN 1997 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER JUST DRIVING 65-70 ON THE I-15 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, I FELT AN ODD VIBRATION AND PULL IN THE STEERING OF THE 1997 DODGE INTREPID I WAS DRIVING. EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT END SENT A POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS STUCK IN A RIGHT TURN POSITION DURING ANY POSITION SET ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE REMAINED INTACT AND NORMAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INOPERATIVE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BOLT IN THE KIT OFFERED BY THE DEALER HAS A SMALLER HEAD AND AN IMPROPER LOCKING PAD THAT WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO A FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 222,000.
1997 DODGE INTREPID-169,610 MILES > > I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 1-1/2 YEARS WITH LESS THAN > 3,500 MILES DRIVEN. > > TODAY ON MARCH 16, 2008 AT 1:15PM, I CAME BACK TO > COLLEGE FROM SPRING BREAK. I NOTICED THAT I WAS 29 > MILES AWAY FROM THE COLLEGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL > STARTED TO JERK TO THE RIGHT AND MOVE ON ITS OWN. I > TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT AND HAD TO > FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MOVE WHERE I NEED TO GO. > > > THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER MADE NOISES AS I WAS > DRIVING > TODAY, BUT I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL > HARD TO MAKE A TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I > TRIED TO PARK, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND, SO I HAD > TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN AND STILL DID NOT WORK. > I'M NOW TRAPPED IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE I'M NOT > SURE THAT I'M SAFE ON THE ROAD. > > I'M LOCATED IN SOUTHFIELD, MI AND IN 8 WEEKS, I NEED > TO DRIVE BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN (APPROXIMATELY 312 > MILES, 7-9 HOURS). INCIDENT TWO I WAS 4 MILES AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND NOTICED THAT I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS. AS I WAS FORCING THE WHEEL TO CORPORATE A TRUCK WAS TO MY RIGHT AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR AS THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT. CAUSING ME TO HIT THE TRUNK FROM MY FRONT RIGHT TO THE PASSENGER TIRE. NOW MY ENGINE IS HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT DEAL WITH ONE OF THE CYLINDERS NOT RESPONDING AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF IDLED FOR SECONDS AND MOVING SOMETIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, MY STEERING STILL DIDN'T WORK SO COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT HELP AND MY CAR BLOCKED SEVERAL CARS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1400 IN KEEPING THE ENGINE FROM COLLAPSING TO THE GROUND AFTER THE INCIDENT, A PART THAT KEEPS THE CAR FROM FLIPPING OVER WHEN TURNING. I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HESITANT ON TURNS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT TO HAYWARD DODGE REPAIR THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A $4500.00 OF REPAIR THIS IS ALONG WITH SOME OTHER THINGS THEY SAY IS WRONG WITH THE VECH. THEY DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE MAIN PROBLEM OF THE STEERING . ALSO AFTER I PICKED UP THE VECH. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY & MY HOOD FLEW OPEN & CAME THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS CHARGED $135.00 FOR THIS 21 POINT INSPECTION. WITH MY HOOD &WINSHIELD DAMAGED I WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE MGR.TOLD ME TO TAKE HIM TO COURT THEY WONT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE. *TR
RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE ON OUR 1997 DODGE INTREPID WITH NO WARNING WHILE IT WAS BEING BACKED UP, IT WAS TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THANK GOODNESS WE HAD ALREADY MADE IT TO OUR DESTINATION AND THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WE HEADED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND IS STILL PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL I CAN GET SOME INFO ON WHY THIS HAPPENED, AND HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT A DEFECT, BUT THE MORE I LOOK INTO IT THE MORE I SEE IT AS THE NORM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES BUT ALSO FOR ANYONE IN THEIR PATH. *TR
1997 DODGE INTREPID, INNER TIE ROD BUSHING FAILED WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO GET FRONT END ALIGNMENT, I WAS TOLD THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACING. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE BUSHING NOW. I HAVE FOUND ONE BUSHING COMPLETELY GONE EXCEPT FOR THE METEL BUSHING PART, AND THE OTHER NEARLY AS BAD, SUSPECT IT WOULD BE TOTALLY GONE IN ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO.
IN THE FALL OF 2005,THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. ON JULY 10 2006,MY WIFE BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO STREET,BUT COULD NOT GO EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALL QUOTED $1460.00 AND CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO DEALER. DEALER QUOTED $1460.00 TO REPLACE STEERING RACK & RODS. *NM
DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I OWN A 1997 DODGE INTREPID ES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE INSTALLED THE NEW RACK AND PINION, BUT I STILL HEARD INTERMITTENT "CLUNKING" NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO HIM, HE CHECKED IT, TIGHTENED IT AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE. THIS PAST FRIDAY (07/01/05), I WENT TO BACK OUT OF A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AND HEARD ONE BIG CLUNK... THEN REALIZED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM BOTH FRONT WHEELS! I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THE (NEW) MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE (ORIGINAL) BOLTS HOLDING THE INNER TIE RODS HAD BOTH SNAPPED AT ONCE. HE CONTACTED THE MECHANIC THAT HAD REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION (A YEAR AGO) AND FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD REUSED THE ORIGINAL, FACTORY INSTALLED BOLTS, THINKING THEY WERE FINE. HE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE REUSED. MY NEW MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT DODGE (DAIMLERCHRYSLER) HAS A BOLT KIT TO REMEDY THIS "PROBLEM" OF THE ORIGINAL BOLTS BREAKING. MY NEW MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW UNTIL HE CALLED CHRYSLER FOR THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN TELL ANY MECHANIC THAT ORDERS A REPLACEMENT RACK AND PINION FOR 1997 OR EARLIER LH PLATFORM CARS, THAT THEY USE THIS BOLT KIT, PROVIDED BY DODGE (FOR APPROX $55.00) - IF MY MECHANIC HAD SOME WAY OF KNOWING TO USE THE HEAVIER BOLTS IN THE FIRST PLACE, LESS RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES WOULD BE DAMAGED. I WISH THERE WERE SOME WAY OF LETTING ALL OWNERS OF THESE CARS KNOW ABOUT THE HEAVIER BOLT KIT - AND SUGGEST OR REQUIRE THAT THESE BOLTS BE CHANGED OUT - BEFORE THE RACK AND PINION FAILS IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE INFORMATION IS AS FOLLOWS: NAPA PART NO: 22-335 RACK AND PINION MOPAR KIT NO: 5072586AA BOLT KIT CHRYSLER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 19004-2 "BOLT KIT FOR STEERING RACK"
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
THE BOLT THAT HELD THE TIE ROD TO THE RACK AND PINION BROKE IN THE CONSUMER'S 1997 DODGE INTREPID WHICH CAUSED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. *NM *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TIE ROD PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD CONSUMER FELT FRONT END SHAKE. SOME TIMES, FRONT END SHOOK WITHOUT HITTING A POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD WHICH AFFECTS THE DRIVER'S CONTROL AND MOVEMENT. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIE RODS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK........*AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH POWER STEERING FAILED. CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
MY 1997 DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS STARTING WITH POWER STEERING ASSIST LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN TWO REPLACEMENTS. BUT NOW THE STEERING RACK HAS FALLEN APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I KNOW THIS CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DEFECTS WHICH CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACCEPT. I WILL NOT REPAIR UNTIL CHRYSLER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE REPAIR.*AK
WHILE DRIVING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE FRONT WHEELS WERE BENT INWARD. VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE STREET. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD BOLT SHEARED OFF.*AK
TIE RODS BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING OR THAT THE WHEEL WAS COMING OFF. *AK
TIE RODS BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION STEERING FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIDING OR THAT THE WHEEL IS COMING OFF.*AK
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 2 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN IN CIRCLES, WITHOUT ACTUALLY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT STEERING BOLT SHEARED OFF. *AK THE TIE ROD GROMMET DETERIORATED WHICH CAUSED VIBRATIONS. THE CONSUMER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK, INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND GROMMETS. *NM
THIRD FAILURE OF MY DODGE 97 INTREPID FOR POWER STEERING AND TIE ROD FAILURE. REPLACEMENTS WERE AS FOLLOWS: 3/27/98 7,999 MILES-POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED(PREVIOUS OWNER) 11/2/01 41,530 MILES-THUMP NOISE IN FRONT END-REPAIRED STRUT ASSEMBLY (PREVIOUS OWNER) 11/9/01 41,923-I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DODGE EWALD-DRIVING HOME I HEARD A THUMPING IN THE RIGHT WHEEL UPON TURNING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHO REPLIED "THIS IS NORMAL" I STATED NO WAY!!!! REPLACED STRUT ASSEMBLY AND FROZEN OUTER TIE RODS AND ADJUSTING SLEEVINGS. 8/7/02 68,116 MILES-PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY-STEERING WENT. TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED RACK ASSEMBLY AND INNER TIE RODS. 2/16/04 85,344 MILES-BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT-THUMP HEARD, NO CONTROL OF STEERING AND RIGHT WHEEL SEVERELY FACING IN. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACED RACK ASSEMBLY, TIE RODS. WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE HOWEVER TOOK HANDS OF STEERING WHEEL AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP TOLD THAT RIGHT WHEEL IS WORN (I WONDER WHY!) -SPOKE TO SERVICE AND INFORMED THEM THAT THIS PART WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES-STATED THAT THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG. ALSO EACH TIME THE "RACK" HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED DUE TO NONE IN STOCK (I NOW KNOW WHY!) PREVIOUS TIME I HAD TO PAY DEDUCTIBLE BUT THIS LAST TIME MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 1 YR. I HAD TO PAY $1,600 FOR THIS REPAIR! RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON-LINE HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE INTREPID VEHICLES-MULTIPLE YEARS!!!!!. *JB
MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A DODGE INTREPID. WE ARE INVESTIGATING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A STEERING FAILURE. SHE WOULD HAVE LIVED HAD HER SEAT BELT NOT FAILED. HER SEAT WAS RECLINED AND AS A RESULT SHE SLID UNDER THE SEAT BELT CAUSING HER INJURIES. WHY IS THERE NO WARNING THAT THIS FAILURE CAN OCCUR? KIDS DO NOT READ THE OWNER?S MANUAL! WE FEEL THAT THE CASE MAKER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DEATH BUT NO ONE WANTS TO HELP BECAUSE OF THE COST. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP US? SINCERELY, CONSUMER COMPLAINANT STATED DURING A FOLLOW UP CALL THAT BOTH BELTED FRONT OCCUPANTS DIED AS A RESULT OF REAR ENDING A PARKED TRAILER WITH AN IMPACT SPEED OF APP. 40-45 MPH ACCORDING TO THEIR INVESTIGATOR. BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CRASH. THE MALE DRIVER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE TRAILERS SAFETY BAR RESULTING IN AN OPEN HEAD WOUND. THE FEMALE PASSENGER SLID UNDER THE SEAT BELT RESIDING ON THE FLOOR BOARD WITH AN INTERNAL HEAD WOUND AND A LACERATED HEART. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE PASSENGER'S BELT WAS BUCKLED AFTER THE CRASH. THE ANGLE OF THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS BETWEEN 1-2 O'CLOCK. THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD A THE SCENE AND THE PASSENGER DIED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE TRAILER WAS PARKED AT A WEIGHT STATION ON RAMP WHEN IT WAS STRUCK ON A SUNNY AFTER NOON AT ABOUT 4:00PM. THE POSTED SPEED ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY WAS 70 MPH. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND KNOWN TO THE DRIVER. DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WERE NOT A FACTOR. EYE WITNESS SAYS THE DRIVER WAS AWAKE AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHY THE CRASH OCCURRED. THERE IS SPECULATION THAT THERE WAS A STEERING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD THAT THE INTREPID HAD STEERING PROBLEM. THE COMPLAINANTS LAWYER IS INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO LAWYER THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS RECLINED FURTHER BACK THAN WHAT WAS STATED BY COMPLAINANT. EYEWITNESS STATED AS SUCH. CW. *LA AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A STEERING OR BRAKING PROBLEM. *JB
CONSUMER STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A LOUD "POP" NOISE ,AND THEN STEERING HAD FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE HAD COME FROM THE REAR HOOD AREA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE #5 FUEL INJECTOR/WIRING HARNESS/FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST BRAKING POWER AND REVVED DURING THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WHERE THE ROCKER ARM COVER WAS REPLACED, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOISY, LEAKED, AND WAS REPLACED, AND THE BLEEDER SCREW WAS BROKEN AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS REPLACED. *SCC *NLM
THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *JB
THE STEERING COLUMN SEPARATED FROM THE WHEELS.*JB
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TURNING A CORNER FELT LIKE WHEELS WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. HAD VEHCILE SERVICE, THE INNER TIE ROD WENT BAD. NLM
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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