114 of the 919 complaints about the 1995 Dodge Intrepid are about the steering — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 133,000 miles.
114
Complaints
7
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
RACK AND PINION ISSUES. ISSUES WITH FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING. I'VE HAD IT FIXED THREE TIMES, VERY EXPENSIVE. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE STEER STOPPED CONTROLLING THE WHEELS. I'M GRATEFUL I WASN'T ON THE FREE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10905974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT HAD MINIMAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 195000.
NHTSA complaint #10318723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
INNER STEERING BUSHING REPLACED NOW THE STEERING RACK KNOCKING AND NOT TURNING TO RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10251606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
FACTORY STRUTS(SUSPENSION) ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. MY STRUT MOUNT/PLATE &BOLTS BROKE AT 55 MILE PER HOUR & THE STRUT WENT THROUGH THE STRUT HOUSING/PLATE. THE STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY AFFECTED WHEN THE STRUTS BEGIN TO FAIL ON ALL VEHICLES. WHEN STRUTS FAIL SPRINGS ALSO FAIL CAUSING EVEN MORE STRESS ON THE OTHER STEERING/SUSPENSION PARTS(ALL BUSHINGS, TIE RODS. CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, CV JOINTS, TRANSAXLE, SWAY BAR. I HOPE IM MAKING SENSE, THIS NEEDS SERIOUS EXAMINATION AS CLUNK/ BUMP NOISES EVERY INTREPID ARE BAD STRUTS OR BAD STRUT MOUNT/BOLTS WHICH IMMEDIATELY INDICATE YOUR SUSPENSION/STEERING SYSTEM IS BEING BANGED UP. THE INNER TIE ROD BOLTS IN STEERING RACK BACK OUT OR TRY TO DUE TO TORN BUSHINGS IN THE INNER TIE RODS AT THE STEERING RACK CENTER. THESE BUSHINGS TEAR DUE TO WORN STRUTS THAT PUT STRESS ON TIE RODS SWAY BAR& STEERING RACK MOUNT BUSHINGS BOTH COMPRESS WITH THE EXTRA STRESS OF FAILING STRUTS. STEERING RACK SHIFTS DUE TO BAD INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS CAUSING PLAY IN YOUR TIE RODS AND THE STEERING RACK MOUNT BUSHINGS NOW COMPRESSED CAUSE THE RACK TO SHIFT ALSO. SAME WITH SWAY BAR BUSHINGS&ANY OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS AND STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS SUCH AS INNER TIE RODS, OUTER TIE RODS, CV JOINTS, TRANSAXLE, BALL JOINTS,ALL BUSHINGS,LINKAGES,MOUNTS,CRADLE CAR WAS BUILT DEFECTIVELY AS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS TOO MUCH FORCE FOR THE STRUTS THAT COME FACTORY INSTALLED. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE CALL BACK ON THE STRUTS WITH A SERVICE ORDER TO EXAMINE AND REPAIR TORN OR COMPRESSED BUSHINGS IN THE INNER TIE RODS/STEERING RACK MOUNTING/SWAY BAR/BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM/OUTER TIE ROD/ALONG WITH ANY DAMAGE TO THE CV JOINT&TRANSAXLES DUE TO THE DESIGN DEFECT USING INADEQUATE STRUTS FOR THE VEHICLES WEIGHT! THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN EXTREME REQUEST BUT SINCE THEY WERE NEGLIGENT TO NEVER REPORT THE INADEQUACY OF THE STRUTS VS DESIGN IN ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON STEERING/SUSPENSION A RECALL IS IN ORDER.
NHTSA complaint #10246723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE VEHICLE HAD THE USUAL FILTER, AND FLUID CHANGES AND BEGAN TO SLIP AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. THE FLUID IN IT IS STILL CLEAN. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD JUST GO OUT LIKE THAT. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE HAD. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK-N-PINION ON IT. THE BOLT HOLDING IT TOGETHER CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10234327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND AXLE, LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS, FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT, STRUT ROD BUSHINGS, WINDSHIELD WIPER BEARINGS, LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK, LEFT FRONT WINDOW WON'T LET DOWN AND ROOF PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10164420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. HAD THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED TWICE. DID ONE REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE TIRE FELL OFF. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AFTER THE TIRE CAME OFF. THE REPLACEMENTS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IT FELT AS THOUGH THE WHEELS WERE FALLING OFF. WHEN HITTING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SNAPPING NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER CONCERN WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL WORK ON BRIGHT AND ONLY ONE WILL WORK ON DIM. THE CONTACT REPLACED BOTH BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HE CHECKED THE FUSES, AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FELL OFF WITHOUT BEING HIT OR KNOCKED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10140556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
SINCE OWNING THE 1995 DODGE INTREPID WE PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED SINCE OWNING AND THE PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED NOW. WE HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH REQUIRED THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BE REPLACED, ALSO SOME ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOBBLING. OUR ELECTRIC LOCKS HAVE ENGAGED AS IF HOLDING THE SWITCH FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE. NEVER WAS FIXED DUE TO DEALER NOT DUPLICATING. OUR AC/HEAT ELECTRONIC CONTROLS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY COMMANDS AND CONSTANTLY WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, PULLING FUSE WAS ONLY REMEDY. ELECTRONIC GAUGES WILL NOT ALWAYS SHOW CORRECT INFORMATION IE. FUEL LEVEL, TEMP, FUEL USED, COMPASS, ..ETC, TURNING CAR ON/OFF WILL USUALLY CORRECT IT. OUR FUEL RAILS HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY RECALL, BUT I STILL WILL SMELL FUEL INSIDE. OUR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS WARPED. OUR HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON AT TIMES AND EVEN GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. FLASHING HIGH/LOW BEAM STEERING COLUMN SWITCH WILL USUALLY MAKE THEM COME ON. OUR MOST RECENT PROBLEM AND THE STATE OUR VEHICLE IS IN RIGHT NOW IS SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT IS VERY HOT AND I BELIEVE A FIRE IS TRYING TO START. THE CAR IS PARKED AT THE LOCATION THIS STARTED AT AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10102667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE REPAIRS WAS BEING MADE AT THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS PART HAS LESS THEN 41,000 MILES OF WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10096590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10042740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TURNING AND WITHOUT WARNING RACK AND PINION STEERING SNAPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10029730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE TIE ROD BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ONLY GO IN ONE DIRECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10009370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIE THAT HOOKS TO RACK AND PINION KEEPS COMING LOOSE. THIS IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE INOPERATIVE. NLM *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8019400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POWER STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #8015968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I CALLED AND REPORTED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE ROD ENDS, I JUST ADDED MORE TO THE LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I AM TRYING TO OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE INTREPIDS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS TO ALSO CALL AND REPORT THESE PROBLEMS SO SOMETHING WILL BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #763487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WILL BOUNCE, THIS IS CAUSED BY TIE ROD: INNER WEARING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #8011869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE REVERSING VEHICLE TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD A NOISE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BE INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #8009272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE THERE A WAS POPPING SOUND. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE WITH STEERING. DEALR SAID TIE RODS AND RACK AND PINION HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #8005233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE THERE A WAS POPPING SOUND. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE WITH STEERING. DEALR SAID TIE RODS AND RACK AND PINION HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #8005233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF LINE INSTEAD IN DRIVER'S HANDS AT A 10:00 TO 2 ANGLE WHILE HANDS ARE AT 12 AND 8 ANGLES. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO GO STRAIT HAS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING RACK AND TIE RODS WENT OUT. STEERING HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS OR MORE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #893405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF LINE INSTEAD IN DRIVER'S HANDS AT A 10:00 TO 2 ANGLE WHILE HANDS ARE AT 12 AND 8 ANGLES. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO GO STRAIT HAS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING RACK AND TIE RODS WENT OUT. STEERING HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS OR MORE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #893405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF LINE INSTEAD IN DRIVER'S HANDS AT A 10:00 TO 2 ANGLE WHILE HANDS ARE AT 12 AND 8 ANGLES. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO GO STRAIT HAS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING RACK AND TIE RODS WENT OUT. STEERING HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS OR MORE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #893405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
BOTH INNER AND OUTER TIRE RODS BROKE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #891311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WAS AT A STOP. HAD STARTED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN STEERING SUDDENLY WAS FREE WHEELING. WAS NO WARNING. HAD TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT RACK AND PINION BOLTS HAD SNAPPED IN HALF.
NHTSA complaint #890247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHEN VEHICLE WENT TO MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION AT ANY SPEED UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, A 'CRUNCHING' NOISE WOULD COME FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TIE RODS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT, AND NOISE REMAINED. DEALERSHIP THEN LUBRICATED AN UNKNOWN PART OF SUSPENSION, WHICH DID ELIMINATE NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #886201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
THE VEHICLE HAS AHD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENT AND TIE-ROD PROBLEMS. IT DISPLAYS WOBBLING AT VERY LOW AND INTERSTATE SPEEDS. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE STEERING RACK & PINION AND TIE RODS, I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL IS WARRANTED.
NHTSA complaint #742287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE SWITCHING LANES LOST CONTROL OF STEERING MOMENTARILY. CONSUMER HAD TO USE FORCE TO GET VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO MECHANICS, AND THEY SAID THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. *AK 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE STEERING RACK WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH PLAY OR MOVEMENT IN THE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM, HOWEVER REPLACEMENT OF THE BUSHINGS WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THE PLAY OR MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING BOX WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSING WEAR ON THE BUSHING, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHENEVER STOPPING AND TURNING IN OR OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, PARKING LOT, ETC, OR ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP, CONSUMER CAN HEAR SOUNDS AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS KICKED OUT OR SLIPS FROM UNDER VEHICLE'S FRONT END, CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED TO DEALER ON 4 OCCASIONS. TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN MAKING SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD, DEALER STATED OPERATING AS DESIGNED. LEFT FRONT SPLASH SHIELD RUBBING ON TIRE MAKING A NOISE, DEALER REPOSITIONED SPLASH SHIELD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #883370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CONSUMER HAD REPLACED STEERING UNIT TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #879903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN I TOOK MY INTREPID TO BENSON DODGE AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 12/4/2000, I FELT AS THOUGH HE WAS BRUSHING ME OFF. HE SAID HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY INVESTIGATION OR ANY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I SHOWED HIM THE INFORMATION ON THE INVESTIGATION THAT I PRINTED FROM YOUR WEBSITE ON 12/2/2000. I INFORMED HIM THAT THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY COSTLY REPAIR AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT. HE ALL BUT TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIRS WERE SOLELY UP TO ME AND SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD THEM, I WOULD EVENTUALLY WRECK THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, BUT I WOULD THINK THAT THE FIRST PRIORITY OF ANY DEALER SHOULD BE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE DRIVING THEIR CARS. I HAVE AN 18 MO OLD THAT I TRANSPORT IN THIS VEHICLE AND THIS MANAGER DID NOT SEEM TO CARE THAT THE LIFE OF A BABY COULD BE AT STAKE. I GUESS SINCE IT WASN'T HIS WIFE AND CHILD IN THAT VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T BE! I JUST WANTED TO LET THE PEOPLE CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE 95 INTREPID KNOW ABOUT THIS IN CASE I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH OF EITHER MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME IN ANY WAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I SEEM TO BE GETTING ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE WITH THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #737289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.