1997 Dodge Intrepid steering problems

Filed Nov 22, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 98,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge intrepid. The contact noticed that the ball joints, tire rods, sway bar bushing and motor mounts wore prematurely and needed constant repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. The current mileage was 128,000 and the failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2011 · Steering · 186,112 miles · CA

Rack and pinion / steering issues in 1997 dodge intrepid. After just driving 65-70 on the I-15 in southern california, I felt an odd vibration and pull in the steering of the 1997 dodge intrepid I was driving. Exited the highway and attempted to turn into a business parking lot to examine the issue when the front end sent a pop sound and the vehicle came to a screeching halt. Driver side front wheel was stuck in a right turn position during any position set on the steering wheel, while the passenger side remained intact and normal.

Filed Jan 2, 2009 · Steering · 222,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge intrepid. While attempting to operate the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering column was inoperative. A technician stated that the rack and pinion fractured and needed to be replaced. In addition, the bolt in the kit offered by the dealer has a smaller head and an improper locking pad that would inevitably lead to a failure. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired and is waiting for a response from the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 222,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2008 · Engine, Lights · 11 miles · IN · crash

1997 dodge intrepid-169,610 miles > > I only had this car for 1-1/2 years with less than > 3,500 miles driven. > > today on march 16, 2008 at 1:15pm, I came back to > college from spring break. I noticed that I was 29 > miles away from the college and the steering wheel > started to jerk to the right and move on its own. I > turn the steering wheel back to the left and had to > force the wheel to turn and move where I need to go. > > > the steering wheel never made noises as I was > driving > today, but I noticed that I had to force the wheel > hard to make a turn into the parking lot. When I > tried to park, the wheel would not respond, so I had > to force the wheel to turn and still did not work. > I'm now trapped in the parking lot because I'm not > sure that I'm safe on the road. > > I'm located in southfield, mi and in 8 weeks, I need > to drive back to indianapolis, in (approximately 312 > miles, 7-9 hours). Incident two I was 4 miles away from school and noticed that I had steering problems. As I was forcing the wheel to corporate a truck was to my right and I could not control the car as the car jerked to the right. Causing me to hit the trunk from my front right to the passenger tire. Now my engine is having several problems that deal with one of the cylinders not responding after the incident. The car shakes violently if idled for seconds and moving sometimes. When this happened, my steering still didn't work so could not move the car without help and my car blocked several cars. I have spent over $1400 in keeping the engine from collapsing to the ground after the incident, a part that keeps the car from flipping over when turning. I still continue to have problems with the steering wheel.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Steering · CA

Problems with the rack and pinion steering hesitant on turns when turning the steering wheel. Took it to hayward dodge repair they told me that I needed a $4500.00 of repair this is along with some other things they say is wrong with the vech. They didn't acknowledge the main problem of the steering . Also after I picked up the vech. I was driving on the free way & my hood flew open & came through my windshield. I was charged $135.00 for this 21 point inspection. With my hood &winshield damaged I went back the next day, the service mgr.told me to take him to court they wont take responsibility for the damage.

Filed Jan 25, 2008 · Steering · 165,000 miles · ID

Rack and pinion steering broke on our 1997 dodge intrepid with no warning while it was being backed up, it was total steering failure. We have owned this car since new and it has never been an accident. Thank goodness we had already made it to our destination and this happened before we headed home. The vehicle was towed home and is still parked in the garage until I can get some info on why this happened, and how can it be prevented. I have been told this is not a defect, but the more I look into it the more I see it as the norm. This is a very dangerous situation not only for the drivers of these vehicles but also for anyone in their path.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Steering · 36,000 miles · NC

1997 dodge intrepid, inner tie rod bushing failed while taking the vehicle to get front end alignment, I was told the inner tie rod bushings needed replacing. I am in the process of repairing the bushing now. I have found one bushing completely gone except for the metel bushing part, and the other nearly as bad, suspect it would be totally gone in another month or two.

Filed Jul 11, 2006 · Steering · 71,000 miles · OH

In the fall of 2005,the bushings on the tie rods were replaced due to excessive wear. On july 10 2006,my wife backed out of driveway into street,but could not go either forward or backward. A tow truck was call quoted $1460.00 and car was transported to dealer. Dealer quoted $1460.00 to replace steering rack & rods.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Steering · 152,016 miles · MA

Dear sir or madam, I own a 1997 dodge intrepid es. About a year ago, my rack and pinion needed to be replaced. He installed the new rack and pinion, but I still heard intermittent "clunking" noises coming from the front end. I brought it back to him, he checked it, tightened it and said it should be fine. This past friday (07/01/05), I went to back out of a friend's driveway and heard one big clunk... Then realized that my steering wheel had completely disconnected from both front wheels! I had the car towed and the (new) mechanic realized that the (original) bolts holding the inner tie rods had both snapped at once. He contacted the mechanic that had replaced the rack and pinion (a year ago) and found out that he had reused the original, factory installed bolts, thinking they were fine. He had no reason to think that they should not be reused. My new mechanic found out that dodge (daimlerchrysler) has a bolt kit to remedy this "problem" of the original bolts breaking. My new mechanic did not know until he called chrysler for the replacement bolts. I am hoping that you can tell any mechanic that orders a replacement rack and pinion for 1997 or earlier lh platform cars, that they use this bolt kit, provided by dodge (for approx $55.00) - if my mechanic had some way of knowing to use the heavier bolts in the first place, less rack and pinion assemblies would be damaged. I wish there were some way of letting all owners of these cars know about the heavier bolt kit - and suggest or require that these bolts be changed out - before the rack and pinion fails in the first place. The information is as follows: napa part no: 22-335 rack and pinion mopar kit no: 5072586aa bolt kit chrysler technical service bulletin: 19004-2 "bolt kit for steering rack"

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Steering · CA

While driving 20 MPH steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably. Driver noticed smoke coming from the steering column. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.