There was rattling in front end and steering felt loose. Dealer determined gear box needed to be replaced.
1999 Dodge Intrepid steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 59 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering: I started to feel a slight binding in the steering when trying to return wheel to center from a turn. It got progressively worse to the point where I occasionally had to "wrestle" the steering wheel back to center position. It also feels loose, suspension rattles and I've got 4 inches of play at center. Took it to the dealer and was informed it would cost $1200 to fix. Service rep tried to explain that this was pretty common nowadays with the sealed racks and not just dodge. I've never experienced this type of failure in all of the years I've owned cars and think this is just a poor design that dodge is keeping mum about. The vehicle is only 3 years old with mostly highway driving. I'm purchasing a used rack from a salvage yard and having dodge install it for $380 and then I'm selling it. This car is quickly falling apart. Air conditioning: started hearing a hissing type sound from behind the dash. Soon after A/C did not blow cold air. Control module display also stopped working. Dodge said in order to fix the A/C they had to repair the module. Cost: about $600. I bough a module from a salvage yard and did it myself, saved $500. Then dodge recharged the system only to have it leak out over the next several days. Brought it back to dodge where they found a crack in the evaporator. Replacement cost: $500. Power window motor: right front power window started failing intermittently, then stopped working altogether. Dealer said that the window sometimes gets stuck in the tight weatherstripping due to dirt and grime on the window and I simply need to coax it by my palm pressing down on it while actuating the button. What a bunch of @*$%! Rear right window motor was replaced under warranty, this must be a common problem. Dealer wants $200+ to repair. What a racket! I've never had so many major repairs on a relatively new car in my life, and don't plan to ever again if dodge knows what I mean!!
While driving steering locked up, was unable to steer vehicle. Contacted dealer. Rack and pinion steering went out.
Consumer states there were noises when turning and backing, mechanic stated the entire rack and pinion needed replaced and while trying to turn the shaft, it turned 1/2 turn and then completely froze up.
Car started making a noise in the front end. It would only start after driving the vehicle for more that 45 minutes. Noise was so bad at times that it sounded as if the front end was going to fall out. Shortly after, the steering got extremely loose from left and right. Steering is so bad, you can't keep the car in between the lines on the road. Took to dealer and they diagnosed it as the rack and pinion steering. There are problems with other intrepids and tie-rod end bushings, however, that is not the case with mine. I got a second opinion from another reputable technician and he came to the same conclusion. I have had several techs tell me they have never seen a rack wear out under normal conditions unless the part was manufacturers defect. I have contacted dodge and they will not stand behind it because the 3 year warranty is out. If the part is defective, how can they not stand behind they product or be held responsible? The cost of the repair is $1200.00. Because of safety for myself and my children, I can not drive the car until I have the money for repairs. Just a note, I financed the car for three years and it won't even be paid for until december of this year. It's ashame that something like this can happen on a car that only has 50,000 miles and less than three years old. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
The car is not barely 3 years old and the rack and pinion steering has gone out. I am concerned that this component should not go out under normal conditions. If the part is defective who is liable, the car company or the manufacturer of the part and how will I know this as a regular consumer who is not mechanically inclined.
Consumer states there is noise and play in front end. Dealer replaced sway bar links.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
1999 dodge intrepid es 34000 miles: steering intermittently is very loose and awkward, steering sometimes is tight like it should be. Steering wheel has limped to the left several times while stopped or driving slow and steering feels really strange. When steering wheel is moved back and fourth quickly only from left to center when vehicle is stopped there is slight knock or bump sound in steering. Steering wheel jerks to the right during medium to hard or hard acceleration sometimes in automatic usually in autostick. When steering wheel did not function and return as usual a couple times I almost wound up in an accident. Vehicle sometimes also sways funny when steering is acting up. The steering's sensitivity and attitude intermittently changes. Sometimes there is a slight vibration felt in steering when braking or driving. There is sometimes excessive movements in steering. Brought vehicle into hayward auto chrysler-jeep dealership where purchased several times. Dealership found missing left strut washer, replaced. Dealership seems to never be able to duplicate or find problem. Technician (supposed shop foreman) did admit he felt the slight vibration in steering when braking while on test drive but did nothing about it and couldn't really explain it. Dealership said they'd put it on alignment machine and check for anything loose when I brought it back for spk replacement. They just told me it was fine with no data from supposed alignment. The car has had many problems since purchasing it with 28000 miles and I feel they are sick or seeing it. I strongly beleive they did not put the vehicle on the alignment machine or check for anything loose since they are sick of seeing it and beleive there is no problem. I have had others drive my vehicle when the steering is awkward and they all verify that it does not feel right. I have test driven two similar dodge intrepids and both of them do not drive or steer like this. I am taking the vehicle to another dealership soon.
1999 dodge intrepid es: 11/07/01: while driving vehicle down city street and after slowing down to about 10mph while preparing to make a turn, easing hands off steering wheel while waiting for traffic, steering wheel went limp to the left. Steering control became extremely poor. Brought vehicle home for further inspection, when steering wheel is turned quarter turn to left, left wheel remained straight. Steering became very awkward and difficult to control. Vehicle previously brought in, technician could not duplicate however found missing bolt or washer from lower left suspension control arm and replaced. Steering control improved after. After driving vehicle as normal for only about one week before, this second steering related failure occurred. Vehicle steering never felt right in first place even prior to both failures. Steering has always felt loose and flimsy. I have always been concerned. Technician drove vehicle at time and stated it was normal. My vehicle is again at the dealer overnight. Service adviser asked me "did you hit something?" when I brought it in 11/08/01. Absolutely not. I feel that they think I am causing these problems somehow or something. I am very careful and I am a good driver. I am once again greatly inconvenienced and without my vehicle. I am almost having to bring my vehicle in to the dealer for some type of repair service every two weeks. At 33685, my engine blew up and has been replaced, transmission failed and overhauled, tourque converter replaced, more transmission problems, speed sensors replaced, speakers failed and replaced, speakers failing again, component fell off left lower suspension control arm, steering failure, steering failure again. Again, just 33685 miles. Isn't there a lemon law? Update: as of 11/08/01 1:15 dealership told me that they could not duplicate the steering problem. The technician sounds very defensive and I could here him in the background yelling that there is nothing wrong with that vehicle.
1999 dodge inrepid es: steering is extremely loose, flimsy feeling and over sensitive. Steering seems to have far too much play. Vehicle usually jerks or sways when changing lanes because of this. Steering will also usually jerk when driving over bumps, accelerating or braking. Vehicle usually steers and pulls to the lowest side of uneven roads. Steering assembly feels like it violently jerks all over the place when driving over railroad tracks or heavily bumpy areas. Vehicle is sometimes difficult to control due to really loose, flimsy feeling steering that moves way too freely. Front wheels sometimes seem to slide, slip or loose traction around some slight turns at 30+ MPH. The vehicle has traction control, not sure if problem is related. Vehicle has 17" standard aluminum starblade wheels and standard goodyear tires. Steering lock for when vehicle is parked is defective, never works or is not present. I had never had these problems with my old 1995 dodge intrepid and I do not beleive that they are normal. I took the 1999 dodge intrepid es into the five star dealership where I purchased it, had technician drive it, I was told that it handled fine and that some vehicles have sensitive steering and that it was normal and nothing was wrong. It has been dangerous at times, I have to usually keep both hands tightly on the wheel being prepared to slow down when it starts loosing control or I feel the front wheels slipping or sliding.
The first time we took the car into the dealer, they could find nothing wrong. The second time we took it in, and only up david's insistence, were they then able to diagnosis the problem. It took them 45 minutes of drive time to ascertain the problem. Then, despite a drought of 30 days, they had to wait to fully diagnose the problem as it had begun to rain, and apparently the final diagnostic test had to be done in the dry weather. Then only the first part of the problem was diagnosed. At this time, david provided them with numbers of the technical notices that they then provided us. No safety defect.
I had a lost of steering "freeplay" from left to right. I also had loose sound in front end? At low speeds over little bumps.I had the dealer look at it they quoted me $1500. To replace gearbox. Service rep. Called me later to replace it all for $500.00. He said this was a goodwill service. They change the part out with a redesigned part. I just want to know if anyone else has had this safety problem. Could this be a recall item? Thank you.
While driving excessive movements occur within steering wheel and column. Also, after vehicle is parked steering wheel does not lock up. *ak within first 2 months of ownership, engine light illuminated. Every hose and wire under the hood had tape on them, dealer stated that every vehicle came from the manufacturer like that. Consumer questioned why the steering wheel panel would not snap or stay in place, dealer could not answer that question.
While making a left hand turn at 5 MPH consumer was not able to straighten out vehicle after turning, vehicle kept going to left. Mechanic found steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
Steering jams in right turns. Requires additional force to return steering wheel to center.
Transmission was leaking fluid from underneath vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem. There were no injuries to report. *ak the engine was leaking oil and was repaired. The consumer says the steering wheel was making noise when making a right turn, but the dealer could not duplicate the problem.
Tie rod became dislodged and separated from the vehicle. Had no prior warning to separation. Rear left wheel had tilted inwards. Had flatbed tow truck to tow vehicle to dealer.
Vehicle stalld after beeing cut off. 3 weeks ago, on 02-08-2000, dealer said it was the battery . 2nd time it was taken back to dealer, who said that cable was wrong on the battery. 3rd time, dealer claimed it was the alarm system that wasn't hooked up rightly. On 02-28-2000, dealer told consumer it could be 3-4 things, to check to see why vehicle was stalling.
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