1996 Dodge Intrepid steering problems

Filed Mar 15, 2012 · Steering · 118,550 miles · IA

On 15mar12 at approximately 5:30pm I was driving around a slight curve when the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the left. I immediately corrected while letting off the accelerator. After I regained control, the steering still felt extremely loose.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Steering · 56,000 miles · SC

I have owned a 1996 dodge intrepid for 6 months now and when I bought the car I was aware that the steering was a little loose, what I did not know was that the entire rack and pinion system as well as most of the tie rods around them were completely shot. My steering wheel grinds when I turn it left and right now and my steering has a horrific drift when turning from extreme to extreme. The bushings on the rack and pinion (as told by my mechanic) are completely gone. The broken pieces are rattling and vibrating so violently that the shimmying I feel on my car is actually caused by the steering. When I brake at high speeds (50mph) the steering pulls to either an extreme left or right. After doing research, I found out that I wasn't the only one struggling with these same issue. It seems like every owner of a 1996 dodge intrepid is experiencing the exact same issues. My mechanic said to me that he has no guarantee that my steering will work right. Driving down the road now I'm afraid I'll lose control of the vehicle. My girlfriend might frequently drive the vehicle but I am afraid that the steering may go out when she is driving it. I spoke with my mechanic and I am in the process of getting the defective parts replaced. I plan to save the parts that are defective in hopes that I will get some compensation for them.

Filed Dec 4, 2009 · Steering · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge intrepid. While driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions, proceeding to make a left turn. There was a loud popping noise outside of the vehicle. Suddenly, there was a complete loss of steering. Immediately, the driver stopped in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle. The failure was contributed to broken bolts which supported the tie rod bushing, and the rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 177,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Steering · 115,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Dec 15, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 143,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Nov 25, 2008 · Steering · 98,000 miles · AZ

Bolts holding tie rods to steering gear (rack) broke. Unable to steer vehicle. Fortunately, I was just leaving my parking lot and didn't cause any accidents and/or injuries. Paid $700 to have car fixed.

Filed Oct 24, 2008 · Body, Engine · 148,689 miles · CA

Repeated overheating problems resulted in replacing my radiator two times, thermostat three times and thermostat w/ breather housing two times. Cooling system includes external metal pipes which help circulate coolant to heater. The pipes are hidden from clear view and when mine sprung leaks due to their placement the leaks were diagnosed as being blown head/head gasket by three separate shops. Replacement of pipes solved overheating. Moisture gets trapped in and around the frame and subframe areas where the motor and transmission mounts are located and allows for unnecessary premature deterioration of all the mounts, bushings, main frame and subframe. This hidden condition has resulted in all mounts needing replacement, transmission dropping, front inner&outer tie rods and bushings going out, rack n pinion problems and the subframe collapsing. Documented records show that from 2004 through 2008 on average I drove 7000 miles a year. In that 28000 miles I replaced all motor/transmission mounts, all 4 inner&outer tie rod bushings/ends twice, radiator twice, thermostat housing twice, coolant pipes once and have gone through two sets of tires. I am replacing subframe, transmission mounts and front axle again. I continue fixing the car because I cannot afford to replace it but I am getting very concerned about the steering, axle or brakes giving out while driving on the highway or in heavier traffic. So concerned my documentation has been given to family members in case of fatality resulting from the defects mentioned.

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TX

The steering system in a 1996 dodge intrepid totally failed while driving down the road. There was no advanced warning of any kind. It is by the grace of god that I did not wreck. The left bolt that screw into the rack/pin steering box stripped out and caused the right bolt to snap causing the entire steering to fail.

Filed Sep 16, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · WI

There are severe problems with the steering and front components such as tie rods, bushing failure- multiple replacements, etc. Steering hasn't been right for years. Low mileage, strange noises, handling. Car doesn't stay in alignment, wheel doesn't return to center, car jumps out of driving lane.

Filed Jan 24, 2006 · Steering · IN

Yes, I would like to enter a complaint on the 1996 dodge intrepid steering problems. Many people have had numerous problems with the steering , some even leading to death. I have not yet have any failures of my steering system, but it is going bad day by day. I don't have enough money to fix this problem (dealer quoted over $400), and it is my only form of transportation. I find myself praying every time I step into my casket on wheels that something wrong doesn't happen to me. I would like to know why there hasn't been any government recall for this item. This is not a maintenance issue with most other models so why should intrepid owners have to pay for the faulty design. Please help me out in this issue. Thanks.