3.1
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,609 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.
While driving I noticed the steering wheel was off set. The steering locked up. After driving home the wheel locked up again. Took vehicle to mechanic, and they said the rack and pinion was completely broken. Also, they said that it would be dangerous to drive the car. Called the manufacturer, and they said that they could do nothing. This was going to cost consumer about $900 to repair.
- Durham , NC, USA
Car steering wheel play left and right and hang up after sharp turn. Took in for problem and was told not safe to drive. Dealership replace steering rack. Car only had 46000 miles.
- Troutville, VA, USA
While driving 40 mph, the rack gears stripped off without warning. As a result the vehicle lost steering. No impact reported.
- Reno, NV, USA
2000 Dodge Intrepid with 47,000 miles just got 2 months ago. Steering wheel had 2" of play in it but still drove okay and I thought I could live with it untill I could save enough $$ to get new rack and pinion. Was turning left and steering locked up, had to slam on the breaks before I hit someone walking!!! guy thought I was trying to kill him and he gave it to me. I yanked on the steering wheel and got the heck out of there. Now when I drive the car I expect the lock up and able to control it but is very scary because its getting worse and I cant afford to get it fixed and its my only car. Oh well just have to die to get action. Thanks for not helping us out here.
- North Street, MI, USA
My 2000 Intrepid has a steering problem that causes the steering wheel to lock-up intermittently, especially in cold weather. This is extremely dangerous as you might expect. Dodge service told me the car needs a steering rack, along with stabilizer links and bushings costing $1,500. The car is out of warranty ( and I do not have an extended warrant) but it as less than 25,000 miles. I called customer service (case # 12074847)and spoke to damon who said that he could offer no assistance. He seemed to be fixated on the fact that several days after my purchase, I dropped my extended warranty coverage. In my mind, this does not change the fact that I have no extended warranty coverage, and it should not matter when I made the decision not to have this coverage. I dropped it because I was relying on Dodge standing behind a quality product and that the car would last without a major repair for at least 50,000 miles. I did not plan on keeping the car much longer than 5000-0 miles. Mon refused to consider providing me with any financial assistance with this repair. I would have been happy with 50% of the cost of the parts. Still frustrated that a 3 year old car with under 25K miles should need this kind of safety-compromising repair, I called the NHTSA and learned that they are currently investigating steering rack problems on this car and that they would be very interested in inspecting steering rack that failed prematurely. So I've asked the service manager to keep it for me. They did not and said the core had to returned for remanufacturing. I can't believe that Dodge is not willing to do that right thing and accept some of the responsibility for this repair.
- Clifton, NJ, USA
Steering failure - broken rack in 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Mileage 68,254.
- Hopland, CA, USA
Steering rack problems in a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with less 40,000 miles. Read on websites that this is a common problem for this make/model. Why not a recall" accident potential as well as some reported. Costly replacement for consumer. This has turned me off to Chrysler products and I am very upset. I am a single parent with two kids and can't afford costly repair bills. This is obvious a manufacturer defect with so many complaints. Why isn't something being done to help us consumers? we need safe, reliable vehicles to provide transportation for our families. What is the problem here"!
- Copper City, MI, USA
Dedember 2002 started car and engine making terrible noise. Took it to the dealer and the engine had went out. They had to re-do the engine that cost me $1350. I had been hearing a knocking from the front of the car and the steering was loose. When I tyrned the wheel left or right it would stick and I had loud popping from the steering. I took it to the dealer and it was the rack and pinion. That was on January 21, 2003. In the same week I noticed oil leaking. The oil light was blinking on and off. The dealer said it was leaking due to the oil switch. To fix the rack and oil leak it cost me another $1300. I am trying to get the Dodge company to fess up and pay for the repairs. The car has been well maintanenced and only 51,000 miles.
- Roanoke, VA, USA
- Chepachet, RI, USA