10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 4,069 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Bushings on rack and pinon gone car makes loud noise when wheel turned for sharp turns.
- Yonkers, NY, USA
Reported to dealership that theree ws excessive play in steering wheel. They replaced the inner tie rod bushings in November of 1999 at a cost of $300. Sixteen thousand miles and 7 months later the same problem has occured. They say their service warranty is only 12 months or 12 thousand miles. I am now faced with another repair bill. Also my cruise control has quit working. It would cut off or pick up speed then one day just quit working totally. I dont know about the cruise control but I think there is something wrong with the front end of these Intrepids that they didnt correct when they replaced the bushings.
- Weslaco, TX, USA
Consumer heard noise under hood & went to the dealer. Dealer indicated that the whole rack & pinion had to be replaced because it comes as a unit and was caused by some of bushings being worn out. Consumer has an extended warranty on the vehicle, but replacement was not covered under warranty. Dealer finally agreed to have replacement done and to pay for part of the cost.
- Sarasota, FL, USA
EA99031, steering rack and pinion and inner tie rod broke, which could cause loss of vehicle control. Common problem.
- Lexington, NC, USA
My problem started out with the steering making a popping noise when turning to the left. This problem had worsened to a point where the steering would lock up at a certain position while turning left. It gradually progressed to be a safety issue and also started to be a problem when turning right. Now this problem is so bad my wife refuses to drive the car at all, especially if the children are in the vehicle. I had just noticed recently that the middle portion of the gear rack, where the tie rods connect, is very loose. It almost seems that the rack may be broken at that area. The car has never been in any accident at all. It is obvious to me that this part is defective, and may be a hazard to the vehicle ocupants as well as people in other vehicles. This defect has the potential for loss of steering capabilities at any time.
- Zimmerman, MN, USA
While driving at any speed on rough road or hitting a small bump, front end of the vehicle rattled. When vehicle was taken to the dealership, owner was told that steering rack and pinion assembly, and inner tie rod ends would need to be replaced because of bad bushings.
- Centerville, OH, USA
Rack & pinion steering & bushings were changed approximately 13 months ago. Now problem has returned. Rack & pinion steering/inner tie rod ends are wearing excessively. This causes vehicle to be either thrown to the left or to the right, if cuts or deep cracks are in the road. Will be taking vehicle back to dealership to check.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Rubber bushings in steering rack and pinion gear deteriorated prematurely causing sloppy steering.
- Madison, MS, USA
While driving 5 mph out of a parking lot steering rack and pinion broke, causing no steering control.
- Pottsville, PA, USA
When traveling at any speed consumer noticed play in the front end due to the tie rod which went bad. Also noticed a noise coming from the front end. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the steering wheel rack and pinion EA99-031. Please provide any furhter details.
- Chicopee, MA, USA
EA99031, while driving there is a knocking noise and seemingly "too much play" in steering which may result in loss of vehicle control. Dealer replaced the inner tie rods and rack and pinion steering due to a worn out bushing.
- Allen, TX, USA
EA99031, in cold climate, 35 degrees or below, or when first starting and the vehicle is "cold", steering rack and pinion makes a noise and feels "slow" which may result in loss of vehicle control and crash. This clunking noise is heard for ten to fifteen minutes or until vehicle is warm.
- Jamaica, NY, USA
Rack and pinion steering replaced due to cold steering problem. Mjs
- Dayton, KY, USA
Cracked bushings in front left rack & pinion. Not accident related.
- Lewiston, ME, USA
Rack & pinion has been replaced once & same symptoms are occuring again. There is a popping noise in the front when turning. Due to the failure of the steering, we have had to replace tires & struts sooner then normal. Brakes have also been replaced because rotors were bad & brake pads were warped. Rear window glass was removed & a new section between the rear door & back glass was replace while under warranty. The same condition exists again. The back door is very difficult to open due to misalaignment. Dealer refused to provide any service after original warranty. Chrysler Corp. Authorized the replacement of rack & pinion, water pump, & rear wheel cylinders at 45450 miles. Due to defects, mainly in the steering, I continue to pay a mechanic to assess the safety of operation of this vehicle.
- Pleasant Prairie, WI, USA
Two different sets of rubber bushings in the steering have failed on this vehicle. The tie rod end bushings failed on the right side causing a shimmying in the steering wheel. The more dangerous failure is the four rack and pinion bushings that hold it in place. The failure of these bushings allow the entire rack to move laterally, causing loss of steering control in sudden maneuvers. One night while avoiding a dog in the roadway, I attempted to move the car a foot to the left, but instead the car lurched all the way into oncoming traffic, nearly causing an accident. The dealer makes you buy the entire rack at a cost of $700 or more because no aftermarket manufacturer makes this component yet. I complained while the vehicle was still under warranty at 32000 miles of a creaking in the front while turning the steering wheel, but they did not identify the problem until complete failure at a later date.
- Higley, AZ, USA
Innertie rod has become defective, affecting rack and pinion, and causing loss of control.
- Greenwood, AR, USA
While turning into the driveway vehicle lost all steering. Steering wheel turned, but vehicle kept going in same direction. Dealer replaced the rack and pinion.
- Polland, CT, USA
This vehicle was driven primarly by a women who knows nothing about a car. The few times I had driven this vehicle I thought some thing was wrong for quite some time. I feel Chrysler knows they have a problem with there rack and pinion steering but won't admit it is a fault.
- Geneva, NY, USA
- Rockford, IL, USA