This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I would first and formost like to report the premature wear of the steering rack on my 1996 Dodge Intrepid at around 77,000 miles. The rack had to be replaced at a hefty price. I have since learned that this is an alarmingly widespread problem with Chrysler LH bodied vehicals, especially Dodge Intrepids, and has been for many years. I had the rack replaced about three years ago and already my car is showing symptoms of more steering related problems. I drive only a moderate amount so this could not be just "usual wear and tear". in addition to the steering rack, within the last three years I have had to have an axel replaced, all of the breaks due to prematurly warped rotors (the breaks actually went out once and I almost rear ended someone), the multifunction switch had to be replaced, the transmission shifts hard and gets stuck in gear for a mysterous reason no one can figure out, and a loose wire caused the car caused multable drivability problems. (the date below is not accurate, these things occured between 2003 and present)
Front end of car shook mildly at high speeds. Taken to mechanic, who said struts would need replacing within next 3 months. About a week later, whille pulling onto a busy road, rack and pinion steering system fell apart, one wheel went one way, the other wheel went another way, car thudded to a holt violently. Towed to repair shop, has been in shop 2 months already, have had rack and pinion, water pump, struts, tires, power steering pump, and power steering pump sensor relpaced. Vehicle still will not turn, and is no longer drivable or repairable. Vehicle was purchased from dealer certfied used car 4 month earlier, approx 90000 miles. Total repair costs so far are $1,500 - $3,000 and climbing every day. Old part is available.
The rack an pinion bushing failed had to replace the whole rack and pinion.also the axle had to be replaced the ring for the ABS and tracion control come off the axle.theres a short in the igntion switch, the gauges dont work, and the car wont drive it gos in default.
In apirl 1996 I purchased a new 1996 Dodge Intrepid (VIN 2B3hd56F3th52925) from philips motors in philip sd. After approximately 2 years and 30,000 miles I began to notice a grinding noise and clunking in the steering while driving the vehicle from a "cold soak" condition. After approximately 5 minutes and once the car warmed up, the noise would cease. Over the course of the past 5 years I have taken the vehicle to five different repair shops in an attempt to isolate and repair the problem. Only when I moved to germany (current assignment in the usaf) did a german mechanic discovered the problem; worn rack and pinion steering gear bushing which are allowing the entire unit to shift left and right whenever the steeringwheel is moved. Over the past five years I've lived with this problem, I've noticed a continued degredation is steering crispness and increase noise as described above. Only when I researched the problem on the internet did I find 2 service recalls for this problem (19-03-97A and 19-001-01). The problem has gotten so bad, about 3 weeks ago I nearly lost control of the car in a sharp turn on a country road here in germany. I was able to recover from the turn (with the assistance of the front tire hitting the curb and bouncing me back into the lane) -- no one was hurt and the car (except the tire) was undamaged. I find it amazing that published service bulletins go un-noticed and high risk components such as steering systems go un-recalled despite potentially catastrophic consequences. My particular problem is further exasperated by the high speed nature of german autobahns.
Problems with my Dodge Intrepid: At 75000 miles I had to replace the rack and pinion steering, then I had problems with the bolts that connect the rack and pinion to the steering backing out and it actually fell out and one wheel was strait and the other was turned. Luckilly I was at a stop sign getting ready turn.had to have towed home. Found out thousands of people are having same problem. At 80000 miles which has been a couple of weeks ago driving down the road car automatically shift into low one. Does this a couple of times. Had new filter and fluid replaced. Even worse now. Find out that thousands of people having same problem. Find out that Dodge and Chrysler LH with 42le automatic trans are defective. They have used these trans from 1994 to present and they fail. I could believe it. Chrysler even has its own special tranny fluid to help prevent failure problems but it doesnt work. I would like Chrysler to be accountable for selling moreless junk. If I were to sell a defective product to consumers, they would come after me to either recall it, fix it, or re-emburse the consumers, yet nothing is being done that I know of to get Chrysler to help the consumer fix their failing transmission problems. I am now going to spend $1500 to replace my tranns with another one that will fail in the near future. I cant afford another car, and I will never ever buy another Chrysler product. Can you tell me if anyone is adressing this issue. I got a lot of information from: www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ I was interested in seing if any one else has had these problems and according to this web page and some of my own research their are thousands of us with problems with our Chrysler.
- Lisbon, OH, USA
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Excessive rack and pinion steering noise especially in cold weather, rack and pinion mounting bolt bushings almost completely gone. Car has severe steering shifting when rounding corners or curves. Diagnoses requires new rack and pinion replacement.
Consumer states that vehicle's steering wheel was wandering excessively resulting in loss of complete control. Problem was progressively getting worse until rack and pinion assembly failed while driving.
I am submitting a complaint about deficiencies in the durability of the inner tie rod bushings and rack and pinion steering bushings on a 1996 Dodge Intrepid, VIN [xxx]. premature wear out of these items are a safety concern. On multiple occasions, it felt like I was losing control of the steering on the car. Some of those occasions occurred while driving across an uneven, washboard type asphalt road surface. Other occasions were on a smooth concrete or asphalt road. On all occasions, I had to slow down considerably to regain control of the car. I have had to replace the inner tie rod bushings twice, once in March of 1999 at 49,818 miles and again in August of 2002 at 89,404 miles. The rack and pinion steering bushings were also replaced during the August, 2002 repair. None of these parts should be considered normal maintenance items. Total repairs have cost me $1,071. I have read numerous other postings of a similar nature on Intrepids and other related Chrysler vehicles and am concerned about the safety of these cars. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Bushings in rack and pinion system along with tie rods failed resulting in vehicle wobbling severely. Dealer states that this is common for those vehicles.
When making turns there is a creaking sound coming from front of vehicle, mostly after first start. Mechanic stated rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
While turning vehicle to right it kept going straight. Driver took vehicle to a mechanic, and they stated that rack and pinion steering had disintegrated. Mechanic replaced rack and pinion and tie rods.
The failure component is the steering rack assembly. The failure indication was a clunking sound, heard when the vehicle was cold (under 40F.). once the vehicle/steering warms up, the clunking noise goes away. Apparently, from reading other reports, the clunking sound is the precursor to total steering failure. In my case, I am having the dealer replace the assembly at a cost of approximately $1200. This is a very basic component, which should not fail during the normal course of vehicle ownership. I am attempting to have damler/Chrysler either cover the cost of failure up front, or reimburse me for the repair. So far, the dealer has indicated to me that the failure is not covered by any warranty process. I feel that this is a very serious safety issue and should be covered by the manufacturer. Loss of life could occur if the steering fails.
Two bolts sheared off bracket in rack and pinion, causing a loss of steering. Contacted Chrysler, and Chrysler will open a file out on the problem. But, vehicle has too many miles, and no warranty/ recall.
Steering rack and pinion assembly sways from side to side making the vehicle go out of control. Cause is poorly designed steering rack and pinion assembly that causes stress on steering rack bushings making them fail prematurely. Bushings have been replaced twice. Problem re-occured a year after first replacement. Inner tie rod bushings are affected by this problem.
Steering rack assembly sways from side to side making the vehicle go out of control. Cause is poorly designed steering rack assembly that causes stress on steering rack bushings making them fail prematurely. Bushings have been replaced twice. Problem re-occured a year after first replacement. Inner tie rod bushings are affected by this problem.
While driving approximately 5 mph, bolts in rack and pinion steering broke, resulting in loss of steering control. Consumer was able to stop vehicle without incident. A private repair shop diagnosed the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments. *note: Parts available for inspection.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Camarillo, CA, USA