Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 1996 Dodge Intrepid - part 1

It started out my steering would get really tight and you couldn't move it at all and it happens everyday now we took it to the dealership and they said it was the rack-n-pinion and so they fixed it and its still doing it.

Rack and pinion problems, the bushings that hold the rack and pinion keep going bad I've had the bushings replaced (November 2007) but then it failed again (September 2008). When ever I go around a turn there's a delay in my sheer almost resulting in a crash.

Have just began having problems apparently with the cernter take off system, have had it at the Dodge dealership in kingsport (1-423-247-3155), they put steering bushings on it, costly repair, still did not touch the problem. I have a horrible problem steering the car, apparently there was a report issued to them about the system in 01-31-1999, but they did not notify the car owners. Have thought I had problems with a starter pulley, noticed some engine shake, slightly, a little smoke around the back bumper, the car has 74 thousand miles on it, I have my records and the previous owners records of repairs and oil changes that have been kept up. Online I have read of thousands of people who have wrecked and died because of the faulty center take off system of these cars, (bushings, the rack and pinion geer interface, inner tierod, on the steering gear) failure is unavoidable without a costly repair of the defective steering system at the owners expense. I have also read of engines siezing up at around 40 thousand miles even with proper matinence. I have no choice but to drive this car, I am disabled and cannot afford to buy another or have the factory defects fixed at my own expense. The dealership should have known about the noice of the lh family of cars, but instead have sent me down the road of costly repairs knowing full well that the repairs made will not fix this car. These cars are a hazzard and I cannot believe that the gov does not get involved and protect the consumer and others on the road from the prospect of horrible injuires and possible death due to this big corperation's faulty equipment. Where do I go from here?.

Front end of car shook mildly at high speeds. Taken to mechanic, who said struts would need replacing within next 3 months. About a week later, whille pulling onto a busy road, rack and pinion steering system fell apart, one wheel went one way, the other wheel went another way, car thudded to a holt violently. Towed to repair shop, has been in shop 2 months already, have had rack and pinion, water pump, struts, tires, power steering pump, and power steering pump sensor relpaced. Vehicle still will not turn, and is no longer drivable or repairable. Vehicle was purchased from dealer certfied used car 4 month earlier, approx 90000 miles. Total repair costs so far are $1,500 - $3,000 and climbing every day. Old part is available.

In apirl 1996 I purchased a new 1996 Dodge Intrepid (VIN 2b3hd56f3th52925) from philips motors in philip sd. After approximately 2 years and 30,000 miles I began to notice a grinding noise and clunking in the steering while driving the vehicle from a "cold soak" condition. After approximately 5 minutes and once the car warmed up, the noise would cease. Over the course of the past 5 years I have taken the vehicle to five different repair shops in an attempt to isolate and repair the problem. Only when I moved to germany (current assignment in the usaf) did a german mechanic discovered the problem; worn rack and pinion steering gear bushing which are allowing the entire unit to shift left and right whenever the steeringwheel is moved. Over the past five years I've lived with this problem, I've noticed a continued degredation is steering crispness and increase noise as described above. Only when I researched the problem on the internet did I find 2 service recalls for this problem (19-03-97a and 19-001-01). The problem has gotten so bad, about 3 weeks ago I nearly lost control of the car in a sharp turn on a country road here in germany. I was able to recover from the turn (with the assistance of the front tire hitting the curb and bouncing me back into the lane) -- no one was hurt and the car (except the tire) was undamaged. I find it amazing that published service bulletins go un-noticed and high risk components such as steering systems go un-recalled despite potentially catastrophic consequences. My particular problem is further exasperated by the high speed nature of german autobahns.

Problems with my Dodge Intrepid: at 75000 miles I had to replace the rack and pinion steering, then I had problems with the bolts that connect the rack and pinion to the steering backing out and it actually fell out and one wheel was strait and the other was turned. Luckilly I was at a stop sign getting ready turn . Had to have towed home. Found out thousands of people are having same problem. At 80000 miles which has been a couple of weeks ago driving down the road car automatically shift into low one. Does this a couple of times. Had new filter and fluid replaced. Even worse now. Find out that thousands of people having same problem. Find out that Dodge and Chrysler lh with 42le automatic trans are defective. They have used these trans from 1994 to present and they fail. I could believe it. Chrysler even has its own special tranny fluid to help prevent failure problems but it doesnt work. I would like Chrysler to be accountable for selling moreless junk. If I were to sell a defective product to consumers, they would come after me to either recall it ,fix it ,or re-emburse the consumers, yet nothing is being done that I know of to get Chrysler to help the consumer fix their failing transmission problems. I am now going to spend $1500. 00 to replace my tranns with another one that will fail in the near future. I cant afford another car, and I will never ever buy another Chrysler product. Can you tell me if anyone is adressing this issue. . Read more...

While traveling 10 mph and without any indication two half inch bolts had broke. Dealer has been contacted. The consumer crossed over the rail road tracks when the steering wheel turned completely around without changing the direction of the wheels. The bolts which held the rods to the rack and pinion gear box had broken into two parts.

While driving the rack and pinion bolts became loose and caused the consumer to lose control of the steering.

Excessive rack and pinion steering noise especially in cold weather, rack and pinion mounting bolt bushings almost completely gone. Car has severe steering shifting when rounding corners or curves. Diagnoses requires new rack and pinion replacement.

Consumer states that vehicle's steering wheel was wandering excessively resulting in loss of complete control. Problem was progressively getting worse until rack and pinion assembly failed while driving. Ts.

No description given. Nlm.

Steering wheel makes a grinding noise while turning vehicle, dealership is aware of problem, rack pinion failure caused vehicle to run off the road.

The failure component is the steering rack assembly. The failure indication was a clunking sound, heard when the vehicle was cold (under 40f. ). Once the vehicle/steering warms up, the clunking noise goes away. Apparently, from reading other reports, the clunking sound is the precursor to total steering failure. In my case, I am having the dealer replace the assembly at a cost of approximately $1200. This is a very basic component, which should not fail during the normal course of vehicle ownership. I am attempting to have damler/Chrysler either cover the cost of failure up front, or reimburse me for the repair. So far, the dealer has indicated to me that the failure is not covered by any warranty process. I feel that this is a very serious safety issue and should be covered by the manufacturer. Loss of life could occur if the steering fails.

Two bolts sheared off bracket in rack and pinion, causing a loss of steering. Contacted Chrysler, and Chrysler will open a file out on the problem. But, vehicle has too many miles, and no warranty/ recall.

While driving approximately 5 mph, bolts in rack and pinion steering broke, resulting in loss of steering control. Consumer was able to stop vehicle without incident. A private repair shop diagnosed the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments. *note: parts available for inspection.

The rubber bushings (under the bolts) that connect the rack and pinion to the chassis of the automobile eroded and disintegrated making the bolts loose and rendering the rack and pinion to become very loose. The bolts could have broken or snapped off and the entire rack and pinion could have fallen off, maybe at a high rate of speed causing a major accident. The rack and pinion is now damaged and will have to be replaced.

Rack and pinion steering broke while driving. Vehicle has been repaired, and manufacturer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

Steering gets loose and making a clunking noise. Over bumps vehicle moves around alot. Consumer has repaired rack and pinion a total of 3 times. Driver's side is the most recent. Mehanic has seen5 different vehicles in the past few months.

While driving at any any speed steering wheel would shake and had too much play. Vehicle taken to dealer, steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

When making turns there is a creaking sound coming from front of vehicle, mostly after first start. Mechanic stated rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

Defective part unable to be fixed upon complaints to dealership as there were no leaks until it went completely out. Serious safety concern! no safety defect.

Steering wheel became hard to turn at slow speed (5 mph) and would not turn at all when vehicle came to a stop.

Rack & pinion are major problem which I need manufacturer to consider looking into dont have the money for the car a week after I bought it started falling apart suspension was lose car is a complete danger zone.

There was a thunk noise under car that consumer could hear through steering. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was a bushing in the rack and pinion steering.

When it was cold out we heard a chunk noise from the front under the car when the steering wheel was turned in either direction . This went away when it warmed up in about 5 minutes. We took I t to the dealer and he told us it was the rack and pinion and it needed to be replaced. We did not beleive that this was an item that should ever have to be replaced ,especailly at $1300, so we contacted the manufacturer and we received a letter telling us they could not help because it was out of warranty. I asked a salesman how could a 4 year old car have to have the rack and pinion replaced and he told me it was quite common.

In cold weather (under 40 f) after the first couple of years the steering makes loud banging noises when wheels are turned for the first 10 minutes after startup. Cause: rack & pinion bushings dry out. Ultimate risk: steering will loosen over time. Cure: on 1996 model only, bushings are not replaceable. Entire rack must be replaced at a cost of $1200. Poor design means 1) potential for steering failure 2) warm-weather drivers won't have any warning 3) price discourages repair. This could turn into a problem as these cars age.

The rubber bushings that hold the rack and pinion power steering to the frame have worn out and this makes the steering of the car extremely loose, (excessive play). I have been told that the repair costs between $800. 00 and $1000. 00.

When first starting vehicle and turning wheels there is a loud scraping sound coming from front end. Also, steering rack and pinion needs to be replaced.

Loss of steering due to poorly designed rack and pinion bushings that mount the assembly to the chassis, 90 degrees of excessive amount of play in the steering causing . Crashed into the a hill side at 15 miles perhour. Vehicle is impossible to drive in a straight line, excessive wear on tires. Most important, possible life threating defect. Vehicle had this since I bought it,not as bad but gradually deteriorated with time. $1500 to repair, the bushings cannot be replaced since they are pressing into the assembly. Please advise!!!.

Rack and pinion steering was making noise. Then, took vehicle to repair shop and it was repaired.

Steering rack and pinion assembly sways from side to side making the vehicle go out of control. Cause is poorly designed steering rack and pinion assembly that causes stress on steering rack bushings making them fail prematurely. Bushings have been replaced twice. Problem re-occured a year after first replacement. Inner tie rod bushings are affected by this problem.

Consumer heard noise under hood & went to the dealer. Dealer indicated that the whole rack & pinion had to be replaced because it comes as a unit and was caused by some of bushings being worn out. Consumer has an extended warranty on the vehicle, but replacement was not covered under warranty. Dealer finally agreed to have replacement done and to pay for part of the cost.

Consumer was turning into driveway & rack and pinion steering broke . Dealer repaired it, but wasn't sure why it happened.

Bushings on rack and pinon gone car makes loud noise when wheel turned for sharp turns.

3 times to the dealership for front end repairs. Struts and bushings have been replaced. Last time taken in the steering rack was loose.