17 problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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 passener side remained intact and normal.
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.
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.
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.
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 22-335 rack and pinion mopar kit 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.
Bolts that hold the rack and pinion together have sheared offf while consumer was driving, and steering became more difficult. Contacted dealer ,and dealer was not willing to do anything.
While driving 30 mph and making a right turn heard a knocking sound. Then, steering wheel locked up. Left wheel had turned inward. Vehicle was towed to repair shop who replaced rack and pinion.
Without warning the steering locked up and would not turn right without a tremendous amount of effort. Fortunately I was on a residential street and going slow. The repair shop said the rack needed to be replaced and mentioned that this was common on the Intrepid.
On Sunday (2/18/01) my wife was traveling home when the steering wheel locked in the middle of a turn exiting from the local interstate highway. She was terrified; our 18-month-old son was in the back seat of the vehicle. She was able stop the car without incident. When I arrived I found that when turning the steering wheel towards to right - the wheel would simply lock in place unless forced. We were able get the car home and immediately made an appointment with our local dealer.
This is second rack and pinion unit to go in this car. I really don't think that a 3 year old car should be going on its 3rd rack and pinion unit.
Loud clunking noise in the front end. Steering wheel pulls left and right while driving. Mechanic said needed new steering rack and pinion and that vehicle is not safe to drive.
Steering would not turn to left except when vehicle was in motion, and it would be difficult to turn steering at low speeds. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and was determined the rack and pinion failed.
Bad steering rack. There is a clunking and rattling in the front end. I took it to the dealership and they told me that I need to replace the steering rack. The cost is $1100. 00. I asked them if I could drive it the way it is and they told me that it is safe to drive. I bought the car with 33,000 miles on it and this problem occurred just a few months later.
Broght to dealership. Told nothing was wrong. Told by friend who owns a 1996 Intrepid that all the rack and pinion housings have a design defect and it costs $900 to replace.
Rack and pinion failed. Nlm.
Car started to vibrate bad around 74000 miles. Took to 3 different repair facilites, was told by first the rack and pinion needed replaced, was a bad design and they see it all the time. Was told other components were wore also because of the rack and pinion, total cost- $1500. Midas muffler gave me a similar estimate for $1600. This week a firestone dealer checked the car, the right rear cradle cap bushing was gone,right front separated and about to fall apart. Other suspension/steering components wore and needed replaced. They told me to take it to a Dodge dealer and complain. This car is the second largest purchase we have ever made, besides our house. We feel cheated by Dodge. We are afraid to drive the car for fear it will fall apart like others I have seen on this site. Dodge should repair this car fully or buy it back from us. We will not be able to afford to take our children to see the ocean ( we live in ky) as we hoped to do this summer and the car is not dependable enough to drive out of my driveway!!.