Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 2000 Dodge Intrepid

2000 Dodge Intrepid the power steering started acting up, problem's like wining and hard to steer at times. Than finally it went out all together we took the car to the local shop after two power pumps and a new steering rack-n-pinion the mechanic still couldn't figure what the problem was. When he called and said that there was nothing else he could do about the steering problem and he didn't know what was causing it to steer so hard,so he told us to come and get the !@#$%thing out of his sight ! so that's when I went on line and read about all the problem's everyone else was having and also confirmed my suspicions on what might be the problem. (the wrong fluid in res. )so now that I drained the fluid and flushed all the lines a couple times the thing works fine .

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. When turning the vehicle, the steering would not return to its normal position. The contact had to pull the steering wheel back manually. The vehicle then began making a clunking noise in the front end. The diagnosis was that the rack and pinion steering had internal play and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact referenced technical service bulletin number 1900101 (steering). The current and failure mileages were 67,445. Updated 10/03/08 updated 10/06/08.

Vehicle information: 98,975 miles on the car bushings broke September 18, 2007 took the car in for steering noise and accessive shaking they were replaced and within that same day the bolts broke off in my drive-way than my mechanic did his homework and found this defect online. . . . Car is no longer driveable. What do we do??? do we fix the car and park it until Dodge does something or leave as is. . . . Please help. . . .

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle would veer to the right. The repair shop performed an alignment and the power steering pump was replaced. However, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was taken to another repair shop and they stated that the steering gear rack and pinion needed to be replaced. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer and the contact was issued reference number 16542975. The current mileage was 114,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.

I picked up my car from the dealership after the rack and pinion was replaced and noticed a problem on the way home it was very difficult to turn left and extremely easy to turn right I returned the car to the dealership and they checked it again the rack and pinion is bad and needs to be replaced.

While driving my 2000 Dodge Intrepid I lost all steering the dealership told me it was the rack and pinion this is the second time this part has failed the first time was in July of 2002.

Steering clunks and sticks at random with no warning, told rack and pinion is in need of replacement. Vehicle has only a little over 48,000 miles on it.

While going 20 mph steering became impossible to control. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic, who determined that rack and pinion steering was defective.

I was making a right hand turn. The steering wheel locked up on me and I went over the sidewalk and off the road into some ones front yard. Luckly this was late at night and no one was on the sidewalk. I had the car towed to a mechanic. He said it has a bad rack and pinion. I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid that I had since new with only 49,000 miles on it. The mechanic said their is no way this should have went out. It cost me over $1200 to fix this . Please check this out before some one gets seriously injured. Thanks.

I bought my 2000 Dodge Intrepid from ideal auto exchange. In a few days I heard some knocking on turns. I took the vehicle to my mechanic who states that rack and pinion has a problem , and must be replaced. I have a warranty with dealer under "lemon" law to replace rack and pinion. However, dealer states that after careful check on the vehicle they can't see any problems, and external knocking sound on turns is normal. Afterwards they refused to replace the part. Please advise what should I do.

Rack and pinion steering system failed causing wheel position to lock up on a left hand turn. Had to physically correct the wheel, almost caused a collision.

On 8-17-04 the consumer took the vehicle to for regular maintenance, and the dealership told him that the steering needed alignment and the tie rod ends needed to be replaced. The consumer had not been experiencing any problem at that time. The consumer had the outer tie rod ends replaced and the front end aligned. Afterwards, on 9-15-04, the consumer experienced too much free play in the steering wheel. The consumer took vehicle back to the dealership, and they told him that the gear in the steering rack was worn out, and he needed to replace the rack and pinion. The consumer had not had it fixed as of yet. The steering rack got much worse and now has to be manually pulled back to center when turning.

While driving at 60 mph steering wheel shook and pulled to the left or right. Vehicle was taken to independent shop, and technician determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced at consumer's expense.

In Jan 2004, our 2000 Dodge Intrepid experienced 3 separate occasions where we would turn the steering wheel to the right and after about 2/3 steering wheel turn, it would stop. We would turn the wheel back to the left and then to the right noting that it would then turn as if nothing was wrong. When we went to the dealer, they said that the rack and pinion would need replacing. I described the problem on a newsgroup and it was suggested to change the power steering fluid. We did (since it was cheaper) and the problem didn't reoccur. About 3 weeks ago, we would notice an occasional rattle from the front end. I initially attributed it to normal suspension wear since it was aperodic and no consistancy to it. As time went on, the rattles would occur more often. It would do it going over rough roads or railroad tracks. Finally, I could get the rattle to occur regularly while driving by putting the car into neutral and then back into drive and letting the car perform a "jerk" as the transmission engaged. That prompted me to to a search on alldata for TSB information about the suspension. I came across TSB 19-01-00 that matched my experience to the letter. I took the car to the dealer and they replaced the steering gear (rack and pinion). Replacing it also "cured" a "knuckling" sound that I again attributed to just an "age" noise.

December of 2003 steering started grinding and making a clunking noise when beginging to drive and drifting when driving. Took it to dealer, had to replace rack and pinion steering system. April of 2004 same problem only this time steering completely went out. Not the power steering, there was no way to steer the vehicle. Replaced rack and pinion steering system. November 2004 same problems again got it there before the steering complely went out again. Once again replaced rack and pinion steering system.

The problem started with the steering wheel sticking and making loud clunking noises when attempting to make turns. I took my car to my mechanic who couldn't identify the problem. Needless to say, the problem got progressively worse. The steering was so loose, I could turn the steering wheel from the 10 o'clock to the 2 o'clock position and the wheels would not even move. On November the 19th, I took my car to a Dodge dealership who identified the problem as the rack and pinion. . . . A problem that would cost me over a $1000 to repair. I had no choice but to come up the money or risk killing myself or some one else due to steering failure. My car is less than 3 years old and has approximately 68000 miles. After much research, I have discovered that there are many people who are experiencing the same problem. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be properly addressed. Undoubtedly a recall is in order and a reimbursement for those who have already had to pay for these repairs.

Consumer stated while driving on the highway, the steering became more difficult while being driven. Before total loss of steering, there was a loud squealing noise that came from the engine compartment.

I bought my 2000 Dodge Intrepid in Feb. 2003 with 37,295 miles on it. Started to notice the car pulling to the right and a lot of play in the steering wheel. I took the car to keystone Chrysler to be serviced on may 15, 2003. Steve haller(rep. ) said it sounds like an alignment problem. When I called mr. Haller to check how things were going, he said they were having some trouble trying to align the car, but they will get it done. I dropped the car off at 7 a. M. And the car was not finished until 2:30 that afternoon. That seems like a long time for an alignment. When I picked the car up, I still noticed a lot of play in the steering wheel and the drifting to the right. It was as if I had no control over which direction the car was going. I then took the car back to the dealership and they said they would correct the problem. Mr. Doolittle(another rep. ) then called me at home that afternoon to tell me that there is no alignment problem, but there is a problem with the rack and pinion. He said it needs to be replaced soon, but will cost $1200. He also told me that the car is unsafe to drive and he recommend that I do not drive it home. Well, I had no other choice but to go pick up the car and drive it home. I did not have $1200 to fix the rack and pinion. On June 14, 2003, my car lost control. It pulled to the left and would not budge. It now sits in my driveway collecting dust. I recently been investigating into this rack and pinion problem with Intrepid's and I realize I am not the only one with this problem. Yet the problem is so common that the part is on back order because of high demand. Doesn't that say anything to the Chrysler corporation? the steering problems with the Dodge Intrepid is so serious, it is taking lives and injuring many people. I feel the rack and pinion should be recalled and fixed before it injures or kills anyone else.

My Dodge Intrepid has 73000 highway miles. I am having severe steering problems that will require me to replace my rack and pinion steering to correct. The cost of this replacement will be $1500. 00. I feel the rack and pinion steering problem should be considered a safety failure subject to recall.

Vehicle's steering wheel is malfunctioning. The dealership indicated that the rack and pinion has to be replaced. Ph.

I have only made 4 payments on this car, and I am scheduled for my 7th repair attempt on 12/3/02. To date, I have had 2 steering pump replacements, 1 rack & pinion replacement, a complete steering fluid change with fluid supposedly specified by Dodge, 1 appointment that ended up being a test drive only-was advised to take car home pending response from Dodge on how to proceed with repairs. . (was told response "didnt really pertain to my car. . "), 1 vent wire and oil sender unit replaced, and in August 02, I had a 1 month auto check up. These repairs, while not all in sequence, took place between 9/17/02-11/20/02. My steering problem returned in full force 11/25/02. The steering is loud and does not quiet when driving. I am terrified to drive this car for fear of causing an accident. This car, in my opinion, is very dangerous! of late, Dodge is covering it's inability to repair this car with arrogance, and I'm frightened enough of this car that I intend to start a lemon law arbitration. As you may notice, I was unable to answer some of the mechanical questions on this form, so I left them as they were. Dt.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Consumer states while driving and rack and pinion . Please provide additional information . Ts.

Consumer states while driving the rack and pinion went out causing lost of steering. Mr.

I thought I had filed a complaint about this incident before but it does not show up in the searches. The steering would lock-up when turning to get the car to straighten out I would have to force the steering wheel with all of my strength later the steering failed completely the dealer replaced the rack and pinion. I noticed that there are a lot of complaints about this component failing more than once on several vehicles.

I purchased my 2000 Dodge Intrepid with only 26,000 miles in Nov. 2001. Since then I have replaced my input/out transmission sensors, and have been told that I must now replace my rack and pinion assembly due to steering problems. After doing some research I have found that this premature failure is very common and an on going problem with Dodge Intrepids. The manufacture should be held accoutable and forced to recall all vehicles having these and other common problems with defective parts. The problem with the steering defect on this vehicle is a very dangerous and will cost lives if not address by NHTSA. Mr.

After puchasing my 2000 Dodge Intrepid ES in November of 1999 and began noticing a steering vibration at approximately 37,000 miles. The vibration increased to steering difficulties while at various speeds. After opinions received from three separate mechanics, the rack and pinion assembly required replacement at a cost of approximately $1,700. 00. After numerous attempts to find any recall notice for the Intrepid, no dealer was able to provide any assistance. Several other claims of similiar occurances have been found posted on the internet all matching the descriptions of steering assembly failures. The original rack and pinion assembly was inspected by the mechanic and was noted to have "fractured" thereby causing the steering problems.

It started with a "small" noise in the right front end. The dealer said they couldn't find anything. After 2 years of listening to the "small" noise, the steering started acting strange. When making a turn, it wouldn't go back to the center. Then it started locking up and would not return to the center position unless I use all the strength I have. I took it to the local Dodge dealership but "they couldn't find anything". I took it to a local repair shop and they determined the entire rack and pinion steering is shot and needs to be replaced at somewhere around $1000. 00. So as it stands, I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with 35,000 miles, no warranty, and no help from Dodge either.

Rack and pinion failed with steering getting stuck. Driver describes that there is extensive amount of play and binding. Please describe details.

The service department told me they had also had this problem with a Chrysler concorde at about 60,000 miles. No safety defect stated.

Steering very loose. My mechanic identified problem. I took vehicle to a Chrysler dealership, where they confirmed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Vehicle 2 yrs. Old. Problem started before 45,000 miles. Spoke to dealership, who consulted with Chrysler. Will not even provide partial compensation. Mechanic deems vehicle unsafe. Steering could go completely.

Steering wheel has a knocking noise due to the rack and pinion. Dealer contacted.

Consumer requesting refund for work done on vehicle. The steering was loose due to internal play in the rack and pinion. The rack and pinion was replaced. Scc.