Steering Rack And Pinion Problems of Dodge Intrepid - part 2

We have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid ES 4 months off warranty that needs a complete rack n pinion replacement. After noticing a lack of mobility on corners, we purchased new tires (hey never thought it could be something as huge a defect as this) after they showed some wear and winter is coming. Manueverability on corners became worse and my husband took it in to our dealer today September 27, 2004 and was told it needed a complete rack n pinion, steering stabilizers, and bushings. This car has 38,000 miles on!!! after doing some research on the web, it seems very blatant that it should be a defect on these automobiles or at a minimum a warranty item. I will never let my teenager drive this vehicle and after getting it repaired will trade it. It is a shame that it will probably take many accidents and god forbid deaths before either NHTSA or Dodge will address this issue.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

I was turning corner, going approx. 5 mph, when my steering wheel locked up, I couldn't steer the car at all. I ended up 1/2 in the ditch 1/2 in the street. I had to put on the brake to stop, but had no control of the car. We called douglas in clinton, IL. They provided me with a loaner car and were going to look at it first thing Monday morning. They notified my husband at work, Monday and told him that the rack & pinion had broke. They had to replace part, remanufactured was $300. 00 new was $800. 00. They finally got part in on Friday and I was able to get my car back that evening. Total repair bill was $640. 72. That included part,labor, taxes and realigment.

The power steering rack and pinion unit failed. Finally the rack was replaced in September 2004. The power steering rack and pinion unit valves had become inoperative and made driving impossible. There was a continual loss of fluid. The consumer was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The most recent incident brought about loud popping and or banging.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

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.

With less than 85000 miles on the vehicle, the rack and pinion steering is in need of replacement per my local mechanic. The failure of a part this critical this soon is unacceptable.

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.

3 year old Dodge Intrepid, bought new, with 75,000 miles has a large amount of play in the steering wheel before direction change occurs. Indications are steering rack needs replaced. There is a technical service bulletin on this condition, but no recall. I contacted Chrysler for assistance, but there position is warranty is out. I have never heard of a steering rack going out this quickly, and there are a lot of complaints posted on the internet for failures as low as 38,000 miles. My other vehicle is 11 years old , with 145,000 miles and has never had a problem like this. There is a design flaw in the steering on this vehicle, and other model Chrysler which is leading to the early failure rates, and Chrysler knows it, and should help owners repair.

While driving at any speed there was vibration in the front of vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and mechanic indicated the problem was rack and pinion. The replacement of pressure hose and pump did not solve the problem.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

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.

Rack and pinion shot on my 99 Intrepid with less than 60k miles. A serious play to the left and an intense rattling sound in the front end once the car warms up or has been driven for about 10 miles, especially when braking. Headlights also came on by themselves and could not get warm air out of the heater without having the accelerator pressed.

I had to replace the steering rack on my 1999 Intrepid after only 27,000 miles. The steering wheel had excessive play in it, and several times would not go in the direction in which I was turning. The mechanic said that there was nothing I could have done to cause this, or to prevent it. He has repaced racks at 80,000 to 100,000 miles, but never as low as 27,000 miles. He said the internal gears were all worn out. I was concerned for the safety of myself and any passengers in a car that loses it' steering. Chrysler did want to assist in any way. They said the warranty was up. They only regreted I had a problem . I cannot believe the lack of concern for such a potentially dangerous situation that is beyond any type of normal maintainence control. This gives me great concern when considering another Chrysler product. It cost over $1300. 00 to repair.

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...

This is for my mother. My mother purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid new at integrity Chrysler,Plymouth, Dodge. The complaint is that she went too turn the corner and her front end locked up. It turned out that the rack & pinion snapped in two. My mothers car only has 14,460 miles on it. She took the car too the dealership (which is now called grogans towne Chrysler) she told them that she had a warranty with $100. 00 deductible. The warranty was through a company called protective. Grogans claimed they could not find any information on this and charged her $1251. 54. She dug out her contract and showed them , it didn't do any good, she also called protective and they said that she may or may not receive any or possibly a partial of her money back. Somebody's not warranting there warranty and taking advantage of my mother. All she wants is her money back.

My 1999 Dodge Intrepid with 50000 miles has a dangerous steering issue. This includes excessive "play" before a steering input will take place. Also binding of the steering when making a turn, left or right. This is a similar issue that has been reported by thousands of diamlerchrysler owners.

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.

Steering has excessive free play, about 4 inches of rotation left to right. Also the steering is starting to bind in the middle of turns. The wheels 'sticks' instead of returning.

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.

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.

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.

1999 Dodge Intrepid had its third failure of rack and pinion steering assembly.

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.

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

At just 53,000 miles it is discovered that the rack and pinion steering assembly on my three-year old vehicle needs to be completely overhauled. This is going to cost nearly $1,000. 00 and is absolutely not a routine issue in a vehicle this new and lightly driven. After researching the matter further on the www it is obviously that steering issues are a widespread problem in Dodge Intrepids and they pose serious safety risks. I implore you to do something about this! do not wait until someone gets killed in an accident before you do. . Read more...

Rack & pinion failed. Reported to dealer more than once after initial clunking noise. Dealer failed to identify the problem. The problem occurred at 39,000 miles on the car. Called Chrysler and they said since warrenty had expired they could not do anything. New rack and pinion installed by local workshop.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Intrepid 🔎.

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 summary. Dt.

No description given. Nlm.

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.