1996 Dodge Intrepid: ball joint or control arm failure

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 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 Nov 5, 2008 · Suspension · TN · crash

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.

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 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 Oct 14, 2005 · Body, Suspension · 197,205 miles · GA

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Steering · 112,000 miles · PA

My son was traveling to work on august 10 2005. He was driving a 1996 dodge intrepid. He was turning a corner when his steering control was suddendly and completely lost. His car went over a curb at an elementary school before he was able to stop. No one was hurt. Inspection of the car showed that 2 bolts that connect the tie rods to the rack and pinion steering were completely severed. A picture here is worth 1000 words. If you go to this site : http://www.allpar.com/fix/intrepid-steering.html you will see a clear picture of 2 center bolts that connect the inner tie rods to the rack and pinion steeing. These were the 2 bolts that suddenly broke leaving the car with no steering control. If that had happened a week earlier when I was traveling with my son on a super highway I am quite sure that several people would be going to the hospital or worse. After the incident, I fould on the internet that this is a common problem with this car. I feel that a recall should be done to replace these bolts. His car had 112,000 miles on when the incident occured. You're recall of these cars I feel would save other people's lives. Thank you!

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Steering · 112,500 miles · IA

Car started shaking violently at around 55-65, took it to the mechanic and tie rods had to be replaced. Has much other damage (maybe partly due to the bad tie rods or maybe due to the deficient design) that I can file other reports on if needed.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · ID

The bolts that held the tie rods to the rack and pinion gear box broke. *ph *cb

Filed May 5, 2003 · Steering · 68,000 miles · MT

Two weeks after buying my 1996 dodge intrepid es I felt a strange jolt from my front passenger side wheel when turning corners. This jolt was accompanied by a popping noise. Upon investigation by a professional, I was told that my tie rod was about to come loose from the wheel and that I was lucky I noticed the problem in time. Had the tie rod actually come loose I would have lost control of that wheel, leaving me control of just the drivers side wheel.

Filed Dec 5, 2002 · Brakes, Steering · NJ

First to go was the brakes and rotors, then the rack and pinion system. Next was the transmission and now the diffentail and tie rods. Dt