Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Dec 1, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 129 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Dodge Intrepid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 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.
Owner reports naming steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Dec 1, 2019
Fire reported1 injury reported
WE ARE WRITING TO LET YOU KNOW OF A MAJOR CAR FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN OUR DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE HOT/COLD NEEDLE BEGAN MOVING UP AND DOWN. THEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT. THEN, THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PRODUCING BLACK CHEMICAL SMOKE INTO THE CABIN. THEN, FIRE STARTED SHOOTING OUT OF THE VENTS. WITH NO BRAKES AND FIRE AND SMOKE INTO THE CAR, THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CAR STILL GOING 30-40 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS IN EXTREME DANGER INSIDE THE CAR AND OBVIOUSLY LAYING ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL. THE CAR ENDED UP IN THE DITCH WHILE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE AREA OF THE HEATING CORE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE BOLTS WE WERE TOLD BY THE FIRE MARSHAL. THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE HEATER CORE TO GIVE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED AT THE ER FOR SMOKE INHALATION. THE CONTENTS IN THE CAR WERE EITHER BURNED, MELTED, OR HAVE SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF COURSE. WE LOST MANY ITEMS OF VALUE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE CAR, THE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED CONTENTS AND ANY MEDICAL BILLS.
NHTSA ID
11283205
Incident
Nov 21, 2019
Mileage
142,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 2, 2011
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2009. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS. AT FIRST THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE CONTROL ARM- COMPLETELY LOOSE AND ALMOST DISCONNECTED. IT HADN'T BEEN LIKE THAT WHEN I MADE THIS WASTE OF A PURCHASE. OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS (12/2/2011), THE PROBLEMS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE (AND MORE EXPENSIVE). THE LOUD BANG IS BACK, ADDING TO IT A LACK OF FULL CONTROL OF STEERING. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD (ENTIRE SYSTEM) AND THE RACK AND PINION. I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WAS DISCONTINUED, JUST NOT WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10438134
Incident
Apr 11, 2010
Steering
Filed Nov 9, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN BECOMES LOOSE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 78,695.
NHTSA ID
10291553
Incident
Aug 28, 2009
Mileage
78,695 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 2009
AFTER PURCHASING THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID, MY GRAND DAUGHTER NOTICED THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE "PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT TO THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH A DODGE INTREPID FROM 1997 THOUGH 2004. *TR
NHTSA ID
10263087
Incident
Mar 16, 2009
Mileage
77,157 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 19, 2008
STEERING FAILURE ON MY 2004 DODGE INTREPID. STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT REAL LOOSE AND CAR DRIFTS AND WON'T TURN AS IT SHOULD. NO DAMAGE TO THE STEERING MECHANISM OR SUSPENSION. *TR
NHTSA ID
10238831
Incident
Jul 27, 2008
Mileage
104,587 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD FLOAT AND MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
NHTSA ID
10215996
Incident
Jul 18, 2007
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 24, 2007
MY 2004 INTREPID WILL NOT STEER WITHOUT PUTTING ALL MY STRENGTH INTO TURNING IT. THE STEERING PUMP IS WORKING AND I STILL CAN NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT A LOT OF RESISTANCE. I HAVE SEEN THAT A LOT OF OTHERS CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM UE TO A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. *TR
NHTSA ID
10206722
Incident
Oct 23, 2007
Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2007
CLANKING NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN REVERSE OR FORWARD GEARS ON A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. DEALER SAYS RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING CAUSING THE CLANKING NOISE AND NEEDS REPLACED. CAR IS NOT REALLY SAFE TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. DEALER NOR CHRYSLER WILL HELP WITH THE REPAIR I AM TOLD IT IS MY EXPENSE AT $1,300.00. RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWS THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE MANUFACTURERS PART AND NOW I AM EXPECTED TO PAY TO FIX IT SO I AS A SINGLE MOTHER CAN DRIVE WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THIS CAR THAT I MAKE PAYMENTS ON! *JB
NHTSA ID
10204026
Incident
Jun 3, 2007
Mileage
63,987 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 17, 2007
I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS A BIT OFF CENTER AND IT HAS SINCE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING ALSO MAKES A CLUNK NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED BACK AND FORTH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND INSPECTING THE STEERING SYSTEM I FOUND THAT THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS ARE ALMOST GONE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND HAD IT CONTINUED THE BOLTS MAY HAVE SHEARED AND RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. I WILL NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS, BOLTS, AND PLATE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10203157
Incident
Sep 17, 2007
Mileage
59,000 mi
SteeringTransmission
Filed Apr 10, 2007
MY 2004 DODGE INTREPID WITH 80000 THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 50000. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR. *AK
NHTSA ID
10187513
Incident
Mar 20, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own