Rack and pinion steering broke on our 1997 Dodge Intrepid with no warning while it was being backed up, it was total steering failure. We have owned this car since new and it has never been an accident. Thank goodness we had already made it to our destination and this happened before we headed home. The vehicle was towed home and is still parked in the garage until I can get some info on why this happened, and how can it be prevented. I have been told this is not a defect, but the more I look into it the more I see it as the norm. This is a very dangerous situation not only for the drivers of these vehicles but also for anyone in their path.

- Kuna, ID, USA

Dear sir or madam, I own a 1997 Dodge Intrepid ES. About a year ago, my rack and pinion needed to be replaced. He installed the new rack and pinion, but I still heard intermittent "clunking" noises coming from the front end. I brought it back to him, he checked it, tightened it and said it should be fine. This past Friday (07/01/05), I went to back out of a friend's driveway and heard one big clunk... then realized that my steering wheel had completely disconnected from both front wheels! I had the car towed and the (new) mechanic realized that the (original) bolts holding the inner tie rods had both snapped at once. He contacted the mechanic that had replaced the rack and pinion (a year ago) and found out that he had reused the original, factory installed bolts, thinking they were fine. He had no reason to think that they should not be reused. My new mechanic found out that Dodge (DaimlerChrysler) has a bolt kit to remedy this "problem" of the original bolts breaking. My new mechanic did not know until he called Chrysler for the replacement bolts. I am hoping that you can tell any mechanic that orders a replacement rack and pinion for 1997 or earlier LH platform cars, that they use this bolt kit, provided by Dodge (for approx $55) - if my mechanic had some way of knowing to use the heavier bolts in the first place, less rack and pinion assemblies would be damaged. I wish there were some way of letting all owners of these cars know about the heavier bolt kit - and suggest or require that these bolts be changed out - before the rack and pinion fails in the first place. The information is as follows: Napa part no: 22-335 rack and pinion mopar kit no: 5072586aa bolt kit Chrysler technical service bulletin: 19004-2 "bolt kit for steering rack"

- Franklin, MA, USA

While driving 20 mph steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably. Driver noticed smoke coming from the steering column. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.

- Redlands, CA, USA

Car started to vibrate bad around 74000 miles. Took to 3 different repair facilites, was told by first the rack and pinion needed replaced, was a bad design and they see it all the time. Was told other components were wore also because of the rack and pinion, total cost- $1500. Midas muffler gave me a similar estimate for $1600. This week a Firestone dealer checked the car, the right rear cradle cap bushing was gone, right front separated and about to fall apart. Other suspension/steering components wore and needed replaced. They told me to take it to a Dodge dealer and complain. This car is the second largest purchase we have ever made, besides our house. We feel cheated by Dodge. We are afraid to drive the car for fear it will fall apart like others I have seen on this site.Dodge should repair this car fully or buy it back from us. We will not be able to afford to take our children to see the ocean ( we live in ky) as we hoped to do this summer and the car is not dependable enough to drive out of my driveway!!

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

Had to replace rack and pinion and tie rods with just over 60,000 miles on the car.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

While driving, steering locked. Could not turn wheel left or right. Took to mechanic to change rack and pinion. Dealer contacted. A worn belt was replaced but did not remedy stalling problem, now radiator leaks. Consumer states that when replacing the air filter, the plastic case that holds the screws instantly breaks. Dealer stated vehicle had a recent front end alignment, however the tires wore in 8000-10000 miles.

- Mcadoo, PA, USA

Broght to dealership. Told nothing was wrong. Told by friend who owns a 1996 Intrepid that all the rack and pinion housings have a design defect and it costs $900 to replace.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Bolts that hold the rack and pinion together have sheared offf while consumer was driving, and steering became more difficult. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

While driving 30 mph and making a right turn heard a knocking sound. Then, steering wheel locked up. Left wheel had turned inward. Vehicle was towed to repair shop who replaced rack and pinion.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Without warning the steering locked up and would not turn right without a tremendous amount of effort. Fortunately I was on a residential street and going slow. The repair shop said the rack needed to be replaced and mentioned that this was common on the Intrepid.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

When making turns vehicle is very hard to steer. Dealer found rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Power steering pump also needed replaced.

- Gold Beach, OR, USA

On Sunday (2/18/01) my wife was traveling home when the steering wheel locked in the middle of a turn exiting from the local interstate highway. She was terrified; our 18-month-old son was in the back seat of the vehicle. She was able stop the car without incident. When I arrived I found that when turning the steering wheel towards to right - the wheel would simply lock in place unless forced. We were able get the car home and immediately made an appointment with our local dealer.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Dealership would not fix the problems while the car was under warranty. With out a large amount to be paid to them for the services. Thanks. * no summary listed for above vehicle.

- Eastanollee, GA, USA

This is second rack and pinion unit to go in this car. I really don't think that a 3 year old car should be going on its 3rd rack and pinion unit.

- Queensbury, NY, USA

Bad steering rack. There is a clunking and rattling in the front end. I took it to the dealership and they told me that I need to replace the steering rack. The cost is $1100. I asked them if I could drive it the way it is and they told me that it is safe to drive. I bought the car with 33,000 miles on it and this problem occurred just a few months later.

- Vergennes, VT, USA

Loud clunking noise in the front end. Steering wheel pulls left and right while driving. Mechanic said needed new steering rack and pinion and that vehicle is not safe to drive.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

Steering would not turn to left except when vehicle was in motion, and it would be difficult to turn steering at low speeds. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and was determined the rack and pinion failed.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

Vehicle experienced the following problems: Tie rod end replaced, brakes pulled to left, transmission and shocks replaced three occassions, windows won't stay up, steering wheel crooked, reservoir cap replaced twice, brake rotors out of round, rack and pinion replaced twice, fuel gauge replaced, driver window fixed 3 times, tires replaced 3 times in 4 years, child safety seat belt won't adjust and needs replacement.

- Albuqueque, NM, USA

Have had repeated problems with this car since purchase 2 years ago. Water pump has been replaced at least 3 times. Check engine light keeps coming on, unable to determine cause. Rough idling since water pump #2 - unable to determine cause. Power steering failure. Numerous minor problems with interior/exterior that do not seem to stay fixed for any length of time. (we consider this car a lemon!!!!)

- Newark, DE, USA

Rack and pinion failed. Nlm

- Bishop, CA, USA