2001 Dodge Intrepid: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 12, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 134,865 miles · MN

When driving down the road at night, the vehicle loses all function and power. When this occurs I have no power steering, lights, brakes, nothing. It flickers on and off like that multiple times. It took me 1 1/2 hours to drive home, which should have taken only half hour. This is a serious safety issue. I can't drive the vehicle now in fear that I will be in an accident. This appears to be an ongoing issue with dodge vehicles. I can't drive my van in fear it will end up killing myself, my family, or some innocent person on the roadway. This needs to be addressed. A recall is needed to find this ongoing issue. There isn't a specific date but a constant issue.

Filed Jul 17, 2007 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MT

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge intrepid. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke and the power steering failed. The vehicle then shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the cause of failure as sludge build-up. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Engine · 119,812 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 MPH the oil light illuminated, the vehicle started to jerk and then stalled. There was a loss of power steering and ABS. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the highway. The vehicle was then towed to the contacts home for inspection by a local mechanic. The mechanic determined the engine had oil sludge and needed to be replaced. Although the dealer was alerted no further inspections have been made. The manufacturer has not been alerted.

Filed Apr 11, 2006 · Engine · 67,000 miles · WA

My wife was driving to work and within one block from her office, she called me and told me that her vehicle was idling rough. She also informed me that the 6 mile trip in she could not get any heat to come out of the heater. As the light turned green to go she made the turn and was able to clear the intersection when she lost power and the car died. She told me that the car lost steering and she coasted it off of the road 1/2 block from her office. She stated that the only warning she had was it was idling rough. She stated that the temperature gauge was normal. I arrived on scene and discovered anti-freeze in the oil. We had it towed to the dodge dealer in town and was later told that a head gasket had blown. It is unknown if there is any damage to either head or block. We have been quoted any where from 2000 to 7600 to fix. We have 15 months left on the loan and the car has 67,000 miles. I did a little research on the internet and learned that my wife had the same mysterious heater problems has other intrepid owners. A closer look at the oil cap does show signs of possible sludge. We have serviced the vehicle each and every time it was needed and had just recently received one. The scary part of all of this is the fact that she completely lost all power.

Filed Oct 3, 2005 · Engine · IL

Dt: the motor stalled while the vehicle was in motion which caused a loss of power steering and brakes. The dealer stated that the motor needed to be replaced. This was due to sludge build up in the motor. The dealer stated that this was due to poor maintenance. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and they will not repair the vehicle. The oil was changed every 4,000 miles. The vehicle restarted after it cooled down. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic and towed to a different mechanic.

Filed Aug 5, 2005 · Engine · 114,381 miles · FL

My recently acquired 2001 dodge intrepid's engine seized-up while I was driving in traffic. The loss of power steering and eventual loss of the power brakes almost caused me to side swiped another vehicle. The failure was due to oil sludge. This car has been maintained and there is no reason for the sludge to have built up as it did! The engine will have to be replaced at a cost of more than the $5500 I owe the bank that is financing the vehicle.

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Engine · 96,000 miles · MA

I am a owner of a 2001 dodge intrepid se. Last sunday morning my wife got up to go to work, after which she was going to travel to maine with our two boys. Because she was traveling I walked out with her and popped the hood to check all the fluids, coolant, oil ect.. Eveything appeared to be normal. On her way up to maine she broke down. While she was driving all of a sudden in a matter of less than 30 seconds the car started to vibrate and the car completly turned off. After losing power steering, breaking ability, she some how mange to turn the car off the highway. She states that nothing on her gages read abnormal. By the time the tow truck got there all the fluids were pouring out of the car and smoke seemed to be coming from everywhere even under the oil cap. The next day the dodge service center called us and said the engine seized, blown head gasket, radiator was gone. It was going to cost us between 7,000.00-5,000.00 dollars. We have contacted chrylser but seem to get thr run-around. How can a 2001 automobile's engine ( with moderate mileage just ) fail with no warning???? All of the gages read normal and we checked under the hood that morning ,not to mention put my wife and children in danger

Filed Jun 16, 2005 · Engine · 101,000 miles · SC

Dt: contact states while his wife was driving vehicle stalled, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There were no power steering or power brakes. There were no warning lights before this happened. The service dealer said the motor needed to be replaced. Upon inspection, it was found that a plastic part of the water pump broke off. The vehicle has been regularly maintained.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Engine · 78,000 miles · KY

While driving at approximately 65 MPH the motor ceased to function. It began by making a noise. Then the vehicle lost power. There was no power steering or power brakes. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealer, and was informed that the timing chain blew apart, and there was no compression in the cylinders. Vehicle never indicated that it was running hot. *ak

Filed May 24, 2004 · Steering · 85,000 miles · NC

While making a turn consumer lost steering control. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.