2002 Dodge Intrepid: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 18, 2012 · Steering · 128,980 miles · CA

My pregnant wife was leaving a friends wedding with my three year old in the car, she was turning around on a side street she lost all steering I was there in a separate car I went out and checked for the problem. I found that both bolts that connect the inner tie rods to the rack and pinion steering had been broken completely. This is my wife's daily driver she has it on the freeway everyday.

Filed Jul 24, 2011 · Steering · 224,000 miles · NC

Steering problems 2002 dodge intrepid. Steering gear replaced at approx 60,000 miles then inner tie rod bushings failed at 196,000 miles now they have failed again at 224,000 miles 18 months and there is major play in the steering of the car as well as movement in the tire leading to possible excessive tire wear.

Filed Mar 27, 2009 · Engine, Steering · 67,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. The contact noticed that the engine warning indicator would consistently illuminate on the instrument panel. In addition, he observed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and they replaced the water pump, vacuum lines, and hoses. None of the repairs have corrected the failure. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 77,000. Updated 4/23/09 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle would start to smoke and at times it would stall. The tie rods were replace. Updated 04/27/09.

Filed Oct 8, 2007 · Steering · 99,000 miles · OH

My wife was driving our 2002 dodge intrepid coming from my mothers house, luckily it was at low speed. While she was making a left hand turn the upper steering control arm on the driver side had broken off at the rack and pinion portion of the steering control leaving the car unable to steer. It was then towed to my near by auto mechanic. The next day it was discovered that the rack and pinion was defective at 99,000 miles I had looked for the bolt that held this arm into place it was a grade 8 bolt that stripped out of the rack. Luckily she wasn't on a interstate going 65 MPH while this happened with our 2 kids as this would have left a catastrophe or death upon all three dodge really needs to make a plan to recall these cars as it shows to be defective materials.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Steering · 30,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving approximately 10 MPH around a tight curve, the vehicle jerked to the right without warning. Sludge was removed from the vehicle on three occasions. The contact heard a ticking sound coming from the steering. He stated that the passenger side front tie rod is bent, but the bolt is still attached. The tire has excessive wear and had to be changed three times. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2006 · Steering · 68,500 miles · FL

I took my 2002 dodge intrepid to dealership to check out a vibration in the front end of the vehicle and to have some other service performed. I told them the front end (wheels, steering) vibrated at certain speeds and when braking. Service was performed and I was told that the vibration was a "tire problem". As I drove the vehicle home the vibration proceded to get worse. When I checked the vehicle it took all of 5 minutes to find that the right inner tie rod end was worn out and the source of the vibration. I have subsequntly found that this problem is endemic of the intrepid, and as such should have been readily visible to a dodge mechanic

Filed Aug 31, 2006 · Tires · 32,500 miles · CA

Subject: mastercraft tire tread separation comments: in march, 2003, I purchased a 2002 dodge intrepid using ebay. The car had 8,000 miles and carfax showed no accidents. When the car arrived, I noticed it had two new mastercraft sensy tires on the front, unusual for that low mileage. Upon inspection, I found that the right tie rod end had been bent and not repaired, the likely cause of the new tires. I then replaced the right tie rod end and had all four wheels aligned. As the tires had a tread wear rating of 620, I figured there were good for many miles. In late july, 2006, the car had 32k miles. I was hearing a loud "slapping" sound on the front end. Taking the car to a costco car center, they determined that both tires had tread separation, requiring immediate replacement. The tires had less than 25k miles on them. The car has a lifetime four-wheel alignment policy from firestone ever since I purchased it, and the front end alignment has been checked about every 3-4k miles. These tires apparently had a manufacturing defect. Their identification is mastercraft sensy 01, 225 60 r16 m&s 98t, dot 3dx3 fmw 3302, not as described by your form below which has incomplete info use only the info in this paragraph to describe model, size and dot number. I suggest this defect should be investigated. The tires were left at costco and are no longer available, but I have their written statement of the problem. Your comments please. Thank you.