Dodge Intrepid ball joint problems

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 192,468 miles · MD

As I was backing into a parallel parking space, I heard a loud pop from under the front of the car, just as I tapped the curb with my back tires at 2 MPH. I went to pull forward to straighten the car and attempt the parking job again, when I realized that I could no longer turn the wheels. The steering wheel turned with ease in my hand, but the tires did not budge with the steering wheel. I had recently had the driver side tie rod and bushings replaced and had an alignment done about a month ago, now I have no steering. Had the car towed to a local mechanic because I'm in a small town and the nearest dealer is 45 miles away. They said that the bolts holding the tie rods to the rack had "popped out." not sure if this is manufacturer defect as both bolts popped out or if it was the result of a poor mechanical repair at the last shop, but after reading many reviews on the car, it is possible this is a manufacturer issue. However the mechanic stated "in my 25+ years of mechanical work, I have never seen this happen where it was caused by something the driver did or could have prevented."

Filed May 29, 2012 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge intrepid. The contact reversed and drove over a two inch beam. As a result, the front passenger side control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the contact was told that the control arm would need to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact of a recall associated with the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 99v215000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower arm). The recall however, was only issued for the 2004 model dodge intrepid and not the 1997 model. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and the current mileages were 190,000.

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 Dec 2, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · TX

I bought this car used in june 2009. Less than a year later I began having problems. At first there was a loud knock on the right side under the hood, which ended up being the control arm- completely loose and almost disconnected. It hadn't been like that when I made this waste of a purchase. Over the last 20 months (12/2/2011), the problems have progressively gotten worse (and more expensive). The loud bang is back, adding to it a lack of full control of steering. I now have to replace the tie rod (entire system) and the rack and pinion. I understand why this car was discontinued, just not why there was no recall.

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 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 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 Feb 2, 2011 · Steering · 56,000 miles · SC

I have owned a 1996 dodge intrepid for 6 months now and when I bought the car I was aware that the steering was a little loose, what I did not know was that the entire rack and pinion system as well as most of the tie rods around them were completely shot. My steering wheel grinds when I turn it left and right now and my steering has a horrific drift when turning from extreme to extreme. The bushings on the rack and pinion (as told by my mechanic) are completely gone. The broken pieces are rattling and vibrating so violently that the shimmying I feel on my car is actually caused by the steering. When I brake at high speeds (50mph) the steering pulls to either an extreme left or right. After doing research, I found out that I wasn't the only one struggling with these same issue. It seems like every owner of a 1996 dodge intrepid is experiencing the exact same issues. My mechanic said to me that he has no guarantee that my steering will work right. Driving down the road now I'm afraid I'll lose control of the vehicle. My girlfriend might frequently drive the vehicle but I am afraid that the steering may go out when she is driving it. I spoke with my mechanic and I am in the process of getting the defective parts replaced. I plan to save the parts that are defective in hopes that I will get some compensation for them.

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 Dec 4, 2009 · Steering · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge intrepid. While driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions, proceeding to make a left turn. There was a loud popping noise outside of the vehicle. Suddenly, there was a complete loss of steering. Immediately, the driver stopped in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle. The failure was contributed to broken bolts which supported the tie rod bushing, and the rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 177,000.