86 of the
1,024 complaints about the 1994 Dodge Intrepid are about the
steering — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
170,000 miles.
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN ITSELF WHEN DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS LEAD TO US TAKING IT TO A TIRE SHOP AND WE WERE TOLD THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION AND THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIRE ROD WERE GONE OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS SO BAD ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE BUSHINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. WE ALMOST LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE TWICE BEFORE WE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE EXTREME PULL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS AND THE TIRE ROD BUSHINGS AND TIGHTENED THE TIRE ROD BOLTS. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION FOR US AND WE WERE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILD. THIS WAS ALSO A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10303429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CACrash
STEERING
TIE ROD BUSHING BOLT AT THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT IN THE SUBJECT VERHICLE (1994 DODGE INTREPID) ES ON RIGHT FRONT INTER BUSHING BOLT.
NHTSA complaint #10246568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID AND I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION BECAUSE MY STEERING WAS TIGHT. I REPLACED IT BUT THE CAR IS STILL MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE AT A RED LIGHT. IT IS VERY ANNOYING.
NHTSA complaint #10243808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,286 milesSummerville, SC
STEERING
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID ES, THE VEHICLE IS GOING INTO GEAR AND POPPING OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10242507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSouth Houston, TXCrash
STEERING
WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND, TOTAL FAILURE, NO STEERING CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO A CONCRETE BARACAD ON THE FREEWAY AND TOTALED THE CAR. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO WORK. I HAVE STORED THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I WILL KEEP IT IN STORAGE FOR A SHORT TIME IN CASE YOU WANT TO INSPECT IT. IT APPEARS BASED ON AN EXTERNAL VISUAL ONLY INSPECTION THAT COMPONENTS IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. I HAVE TAKEN SOME DIGITAL PHOTOS.
NHTSA complaint #10173300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSouth Houston, TXCrash
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND, TOTAL FAILURE, NO STEERING CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO A CONCRETE BARACAD ON THE FREEWAY AND TOTALED THE CAR. AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO WORK. I HAVE STORED THE CAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I WILL KEEP IT IN STORAGE FOR A SHORT TIME IN CASE YOU WANT TO INSPECT IT. IT APPEARS BASED ON AN EXTERNAL VISUAL ONLY INSPECTION THAT COMPONENTS IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. I HAVE TAKEN SOME DIGITAL PHOTOS.
NHTSA complaint #10173300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesThayne, WY
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
BOUGHT CAR IN 2001, WITH 69,000 MILES. 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, GAUGES STOPPED WORKING, CAR RAN FINE, NO NOISE, ETC. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING PAST DEALER, STOPPED AND THEY CHECKED FOR CODES, NONE FOUND. HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER HAD CODE FOR AIRBAG MODULE THIS TIME, REPLACED PART. PROBLEM IS STILL INTERMITTENT. 2003, DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED, NO RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. ALSO HAD BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 72,000. THEY WERE DONE AT 55,000 ALSO. REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS 2004 AT 97,000. THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED A WEEK BEFORE PURCHASE AT 68,500. PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER WARPED, I FEAR IT MAY FAIL IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10144387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHellertown, PA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THE 42LE MOPAR TRANSMISSION. IN THIS CASE, A 94 DODGE INTREPID ES. FAILED AT INTERVALS OF 60,000 MILES. DODGE DENIES ANY DEFECT. *AK ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE TIE RODS AND OTHER LINKAGES TOTALED $700+ IN REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10113892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesBanner ELK, NC
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHEN REACHING 45 MPH OR HIGHER TIE ROD ENDS SHOOK.
NHTSA complaint #10066752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NLM IN ADDITION, STEERING JERKED AND SWAYED WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10019320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *DT
NHTSA complaint #10004383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, I HEARD A SLIGHT POP/CRACK AND THEN LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I HAD NO WARNING THAT SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN ONE FATALITY. THE DEALER SAID MY 7/70 WARRENTY HAD EXPIRED (TIME) AND I WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF THE REPAIR WHICH HE INITIALLY GUESSED WOULD BE $1375 BUT COULD BE MUCH MORE ONCE THEY GOT IT UP AND LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT ESPECIALLY WITH NO WARNING OR REQUIREMENT TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED AFTER A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF MILES. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS CAR. DT
NHTSA complaint #768698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, MA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
A YEAR AGO I HAD TO REPLACED ONE TIE ROD END FOR TO MUCH PLAY AND THIS YEAR WHEN CHECKING FOR INSPECTION WE FOUND THAT ANOTHER TWO HAVE TOO MUCH PLAY AND MUST BE REPLACED. TALKING TO THE GARAGE AND PART STORES THEY SAY THAT THIS STYLE OR MODEL OF CARS ARE GOING THOUGH THESE ITEMS. IF ONE OF THESE ITEMS LETS TOTAL GO THEN A PERSON COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. LUCKILY WE HAD FOUND MY PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BROKE LOSE. I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE 3 THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosholt, WI
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WENT OUT. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8020302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, MI
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED A BOLT THAT HOLDS RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #8014139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAD THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION INSPECTED AT 73,000 MILES AND I WAS GIVEN A CLEN BILL WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. APPROXIMATLY 3 MONTHS LATER WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT APPRX, 10-15 MPH THE INNER RACK AND PINION BOLTS SHEARED OFF AND LEFT ME WITH NO DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ,AND BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE SPLAYED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AND THE PLACE WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED SAID THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE
NHTSA complaint #763530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yakima, WA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE REPAIRING A RECALL CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT TIE ROD AND ITS ATTACHMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WERE NOT PART OF RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STTED WHILE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8004197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ORO Valley, AZ
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
EA 99 031/STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINON: WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT RACK AND PINON FAILED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #6900637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alburn, PA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
BOLTS THAT HOLD TIE ROD BUSHINGS TO VEHICLE SEPARATED AT 35MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE STEERING WAS LOST, RUBBER WAS COMPLETELY GONE FROM THE TIE ROD BUSHINGS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trenton, MICrash
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euless, TX
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RIGHT STEERING TIE ROD HAS RUBBED THROUGH TRANSMISSION WIRING, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #888685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnson City, TN
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION SNAPPED, CAUSING FAILURE OF POWERING STEERING. DEAELR WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE STEERING FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND THERE WAS A POP NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #887042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coopertine, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DLR, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #886210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLCrash1 injured
STEERING
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER HEARD POPPING NOISE. STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE ,AND THEN SUDDENLY STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO LEFT ON ITS OWN , CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO A CONCRETE LIGHT POLE . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #885704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Larchmont, NY
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FRO ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #743000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zephyrhills, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I HEARD A BANG AND THE STEERING FAILED. INSPECTION REVEALED THE FAILURE OF BOTH OF THE BOLTS CONNECTING THE INNER TIE RODS, TO THE RACK AND PINION. I NOTED AT LEAST 4 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS FAILURE REPORTED IN YOUR FILES IN 2000. PLEASE STRIVE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECTIFIED SOON, ANOTHER 5 MINUTES AND I'D HAVE BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND MAY NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS OCCURRENCES.
NHTSA complaint #739193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zephyrhills, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I HEARD A BANG AND THE STEERING FAILED. INSPECTION REVEALED THE FAILURE OF BOTH OF THE BOLTS CONNECTING THE INNER TIE RODS, TO THE RACK AND PINION. I NOTED AT LEAST 4 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS FAILURE REPORTED IN YOUR FILES IN 2000. PLEASE STRIVE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECTIFIED SOON, ANOTHER 5 MINUTES AND I'D HAVE BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND MAY NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS OCCURRENCES.
NHTSA complaint #739193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.