Steering Rack problems of the 2000 Dodge Intrepid

My 200o Dodge Intrepid has 61,000 miles on it. I started having problems with the steering at about 58,000. Whenever I made a turn left or right my steering wheel would lock and I would not be able to straighten out. I would sometimes have to turn it forcefully and it would make a terrible clunking and grinding noise. I have almost been in a terrible accident on more than one occasion. The wheel locked up as I made a right turn and I was forced down an embankment, fortunately I was alone in the car and no one was on the embankment as they usually are. I have brought the car to a Dodge dealer and they are repairing it for $1067. 00. They said it is the steering gear and rack. After reading all the complaints on this vehicle with the exact same problems. I fee this is a safety issue an should be on a recall status. I was hoping to purchase a 300 Chrysler now I'm not sure if I want to stay with this company.

While driving I noticed the steering wheel was off set. The steering locked up. After driving home the wheel locked up again. Took vehicle to mechanic, and they said the rack and pinion was completely broken. Also, they said that it would be dangerous to drive the car. Called the manufacturer, and they said that they could do nothing. This was going to cost consumer about $900. 00 to repair.

Car steering wheel play left and right and hang up after sharp turn. Took in for problem and was told not safe to drive. Dealership replace steering rack. Car only had 46000 miles.

2000 Dodge Intrepid with 47,000 miles just got 2 months ago. Steering wheel had 2" of play in it but still drove okay and I thought I could live with it untill I could save enough $$ to get new rack and pinion. Was turning left and steering locked up, had to slam on the breaks before I hit someone walking!!! guy thought I was trying to kill him and he gave it to me. I yanked on the steering wheel and got the heck out of there. Now when I drive the car I expect the lock up and able to control it but is very scary because its getting worse and I cant afford to get it fixed and its my only car. Oh well just have to die to get action. Thanks for not helping us out here.

My 2000 Intrepid has a steering problem that causes the steering wheel to lock-up intermittently, especially in cold weather. This is extremely dangerous as you might expect. Dodge service told me the car needs a steering rack, along with stabilizer links and bushings costing $1,500. The car is out of warranty ( and I do not have an extended warrant) but it as less than 25,000 miles. I called customer service (case # 12074847)and spoke to damon who said that he could offer no assistance. He seemed to be fixated on the fact that several days after my purchase, I dropped my extended warranty coverage. In my mind, this does not change the fact that I have no extended warranty coverage, and it should not matter when I made the decision not to have this coverage. I dropped it because I was relying on Dodge standing behind a quality product and that the car would last without a major repair for at least 50,000 miles. I did not plan on keeping the car much longer than 5000-0 miles. Mon refused to consider providing me with any financial assistance with this repair. I would have been happy with 50% of the cost of the parts. Still frustrated that a 3 year old car with under 25k miles should need this kind of safety-compromising repair, I called the NHTSA and learned that they are currently investigating steering rack problems on this car and that they would be very interested in inspecting steering rack that failed prematurely. So I've asked the service manager to keep it for me. They did not and said the core had to returned for remanufacturing. I can't believe that Dodge is not willing to do that right thing and accept some of the responsibility for this repair.

While driving 40 mph, the rack gears stripped off without warning. As a result the vehicle lost steering. No impact reported.

Steering failure - broken rack in 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Mileage 68,254.

Steering rack problems in a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with less 40,000 miles. Read on websites that this is a common problem for this make/model. Why not a recall? accident potential as well as some reported. Costly replacement for consumer. This has turned me off to Chrysler products and I am very upset. I am a single parent with two kids and can't afford costly repair bills. This is obvious a manufacturer defect with so many complaints. Why isn't something being done to help us consumers? we need safe, reliable vehicles to provide transportation for our families. What is the problem here?!.