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.
1996 Dodge Intrepid suspension problems
45 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 45
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Front14
- Front: wheel bearing7
- Rear2
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint2
- Front: control arm: lower arm2
- Front: springs: coil springs1
- Front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings1
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge Intrepid suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Dodge Intrepid suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1996 Dodge Intrepid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1996 dodge intrepid had to have alot of front end work done on tie rod ends and bushings worn out then while driving the car the brakes failed for no apparent reason and caused a accident whole front end totaled and the air bags did not deploy why is it that dodge auto air bags do not deploy.
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.
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.
1. The event occurred while backing into my driveway 2. 1996 dodge intrepid, 3.5l, 196,000 miles. The lower control arm mount that is a structural element of the car's subframe had metal fatigued and separated from the subrfame. This caused the bottom of the front passenger side wheel to move outward and lodge against the fender. When the wheel moved outward, the half-shaft pulled out of the constant velocity joint disengaging the drivetrain from the front wheel. 3. The replacement cost of the subframe was prohibitively expensive, so the car is going to be scraped.
Under normal driving conditions, automatic in "drive" position shifts into 3rd gear causing high [300-400k] RPM and high fuel consumption. Condition can be corrected by stopping vehicle, turning switch off, waiting until signal lights have disappeared, then turning switch on again. This is also a safety hazard due to potential for rear-end collision while vehicle is in off.
Vehicle pulls to the left while driving 25 MPH. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle home. Then, consumer noticed that the bushing was worn out, and steering rack broke. Manufacturer was notified.
Entire suspension replaced. According to mechanic suspension was shot, and he has seen this on numerous occasions. He suggested this may be a recall problem, but advised to check into it to be sure. Also, I have already replaced the multi-function switch approximately 3 years ago and have just been told it needs to be replaced again. I have been driving with high beams on because the lower beams do not work.
I have a 1996 dodge intrepid I bought in 1998 I have had numerous steering problems with this vehicle and have spent much money to fix this car. The bushings have been replaced,the bearings have been replaced, the power steering pump has been replaced, the steering hoses have been replaced,all this was done at under 55,000 miles and luckily gefore my fiance and my children were seriously hurt in an acident due to steering lose or control. These problems totaled around 2,500.to fix. Now we are having the same problems again with the car having 90,000 miles now the power steering pump is out again and the rack and pinion is out and it is impossible to steer. We are a low income family so trade the car in is out of the question and getting it fixed right away is sometimes not possible. Just by pure luck I was looking for prices of rack and pinions and I just stummbled across this web site and I am glad I did.
I own a 1996 dodge inrepid with 61,255 miles on it as of today ( 1/16/2003). This vehicle has had three failuers of the water pump at a cost to repaire of $500.00 each time to repaire. I have also had the front suspension fail, which cost $1185.00 to repaire. This vehicle is not driven hard, mileage will show maybe 10,000 miles per year. I feel by the number of complaints on your system that the manufacture has had more than normal number of complaints for both these problems. I think a recall is called for, and some sort of remibrusment for the cost of repaires made. All my repaires where done by a goodyear facility or dealership.
Questions about the 1996 Dodge Intrepid suspension
Does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Dodge Intrepid, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Intrepid suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Dodge Intrepid suspension?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Dodge Intrepid have bad suspension?
The Dodge Intrepid model years with the most suspension complaints are 1994 (64 complaints), 1995 (61 complaints) and 1993 (46 complaints).
Other 1996 Dodge Intrepid problems
Steering 153Fuel system 86Engine 83Transmission 44Brakes 37Airbags 34Electrical 32Body 24Lights 24Visibility 15Acceleration 7Locks 7Tires 7Seat belts 6Wheels 6Seats 4
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