2000 Dodge Intrepid: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 21, 2011 · Suspension · 113,410 miles · PA

While backing out of a parking stall, front drivers side wheel lower control arm broke free from engine cradle resulting in total immobilization of vehicle. Upon inspection it was obvious that the mounting bracket which is welded to the engine cradle frame had rusted out causing failure. Similar failures on older models have had the federal safety agency recalls, see the federal safety agency campaign id # 99v215000, issued due to loss of power or control resulting in a potentially life threatening condition. It is understandable for wear parts such as brakes, shocks and suspension joints to fail due to use and mileage but frame members should be made solid and the responsibility of the auto manufacturer to ensure long term reliability.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Steering · NY · crash

2000 dodge intrepid, the consumer was traveling westbound, when his right front tie rod broke causing him to go off to the left side of the roadway striking the concrete median. *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0344-91)*jb updated 08/06/10

Filed Jul 11, 2009 · Steering · 160,000 miles · CA

Almost lost control of the steering while driving on the interstate highway. Car started shaking so we pulled of to the side of the road as soon as possible. The inner tie rod bushings were completely gone with just the bolt and washer holding the tie rod on the steering rack. Had to replace the inner tie rods, but still need to replace the steering rack.

Filed May 9, 2009 · Steering · 140,364 miles · FL

Backing out of a parking space in 2000 dodge intrepid es with 140k miles, there was a loud pop and had complete loss of steering in the front left wheel. The bolt that secures the tie rod to the rack and pinion had completely pulled out of the rack and pinion. If this had occurred while driving, it would have resulted in a major accident. Rack and pinion needs to be replaced to fix the problem. I did not have the part replaced, so I still have the old part. I have parked the car and refuse to drive it.

Filed Dec 3, 2008 · Steering · PA

The 2000 dodge intrepid es 3.2l model has a rack and pinion problem. Mine started around may of 05 at about 63,000 miles. It started out just as a clunking noise. I had replaced all kinds of parts within the past few years like lower and upper ball joints, inner tie rods (twice), front end alignments, etc., thinking that the noise would be fixed. After all that was replaced on this car, I figured that the car was just made that way. As of this year, the steering started making a louder clunking noise when turning and straightening the wheels. At this point it just keeps getting louder and louder. I've had this looked at twice by different mechanics. The dealer in pittsburgh says that the replacement is $875.00 (which does not include labor) and that it is on back order and that the remanufactured ones are no longer available. I went online and found an unbelievable amount of consumers having the same type of problems with many chyrysler/dodge vehicles. It seems alot of them have been sent to you. The one site is: http://www.dontbuydodgechryslervehicles.com/dodge_chrysler_steering_problems.htm there was another site that I contacted earlier this year (www.dodgechryslersteeringproblems.com) (which as I looked today are no longer there) and they said to contact you which I am doing. Please reply to this. This seems to be a very serious problem. When I asked the dealer about this, they said my year should not have this problem! Guess what... It does! As I look at the questions that are listed below, luckily I can say I don't have to click on yes to any of them or to put in the number of deaths.....and hopefully I won't need to. But from what I'm seeing, my days are numbered.

Filed Jul 8, 2008 · Engine · 94,361 miles · FL

I bought my 2000 dodge intrepid in october of 2000. Within 2 years I had the inner tie rods and weather stripping/door trim replaced. Whenever I would take my car in for an oil change every 3000 miles, the mechanic would notify me of sludge build up. Now the engine is gone. Beyond repair with only 94,000 mile left on the car. This was just after I paid to replace an evaporator coil that was leaking and the inner tie rods for the second time. I also paid over $200 to replace the weather stripping for the second time. I have replaced a radiator that was leaking and a shift cable that had seized up preventing my car from shifting into gear. I figure those were due to normal wear and tear but the engine is what really blows my mind with such low miles and regular maintanence. Please help.

Filed Oct 10, 2005 · Steering · 80,000 miles · GA

After driving approximately 12 miles to work the car was pulled into a parking space and while straightening the wheels a loud pop was heard and the car had no steering. The inspection revealed that (2) two 1/2 inch threaded bolts (that bolt the tie rods to the steering rack had sheared off. One of the tie rod bushings was gone and the area the bushing was in was extremely worn, requiring replacement. The rack and pinion was replaced on this vehicle at 20,000 miles under warranty. The car was repaired by removing the rack, backing out the old bolt ends and installing new bolts. The one tie rod was replaced. I contacted chrysler corporation customer service and they offered no help on the repair. The district rep was ask to help and he denied any help. (he did not even look at the damage. I was told that he would not over rule detriot).

Filed Sep 9, 2005 · Steering · 50,000 miles · MD

Dt: 2000 dodge intrepid with 60,000 miles. The steering failed. It started with a lot of loose play in the steering. Wheel. Currently when driving straight the wheel was upside down. This problem started approximately 10,000 miles ago, complete failure occurred on july 27, 2005. The vehicle became impossible to drive in a short period of time. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, and they have not looked at it. It showed rack and pinion steering failure symptoms. Chrysler was not willing to help with the problem. The vehicle did not go in a straight line, the tires were recently replaced and the vehicle was balanced and aligned.*ak the tie rod was replaced.

Filed Sep 9, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 93,335 miles · IL

Dt: on 8-17-04 the consumer took the vehicle to for regular maintenance, and the dealership told him that the steering needed alignment and the tie rod ends needed to be replaced. The consumer had not been experiencing any problem at that time. The consumer had the outer tie rod ends replaced and the front end aligned. Afterwards, on 9-15-04, the consumer experienced too much free play in the steering wheel. The consumer took vehicle back to the dealership, and they told him that the gear in the steering rack was worn out, and he needed to replace the rack and pinion. The consumer had not had it fixed as of yet. The steering rack got much worse and now has to be manually pulled back to center when turning.

Filed Jul 14, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 37,000 miles · MI

Check oil light kept coming on, took to dealer and they repaired problem, two times to get it done. Dealer said oil pressure was fine /28/04 - timing chain failure, only 37,000 miles on car. Bought new in 2000. Engine valves were damaged. Dealer took 2 1/2 weeks to repair lso had to replace tie rod ends.

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Electrical · CT

The electric door lock mechanism has failed on thre of the four doors of my 2000 dodge intrepid. The last time the door could not be opened from the inside. Another problem is the the clamp on the passenger side tie rod does not clear the opening in the wheel well liner and looks like it could hang up on the metal edge. On my car it abraded the insulation off the baterry cables that run right through this area. This seems like it could start a fire of short out the electrical system. Dealer said that's the way it is.

Filed May 5, 2004 · Suspension · AR

While driving 55 MPH a loud rattling noise was heard from rear. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.