31 of the 493 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid are about the steering — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 101,874 miles.
31
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ,NO POWER STEERING LEAKS BELTS OK AND NO NOISE UNDER HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10255485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEEL LOCKS WHEN TURNED COMPLETELY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. WANDERS ON DRY PAVEMENT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN WET WEATHER. HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE STEERING RACK AND INNER TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint #10251146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON TO ANOTHER STREET. ONCE MAKING THIS RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL BEING TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE CURB. ONCE STOPPED THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES. THE INNER AND OUTER TIRE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #10238689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH,THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #10186349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN 1998, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUE WITH: ELECTRICAL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING (DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM) RACK AND PINION HAD TO REPLACE AT 36,000 MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES EVERY YEAR, THEY CONSTANTLY ARE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN FIRST BOUGHT VEHICLE, NOW THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOWN ON DRIVE SIDE IS NOT WORKING AS WELL AS NOT BEING ABLE TO USE POWER UNLOCK AND LOCK FOR REAR DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAK FROM HOSE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10155215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT 3 MPH WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THEY FOUND THE RACK AND PINION CAME APART. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS HAPPENED. THEY WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10142747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10108959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
RECALL 03V527000, WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10067185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE ENGINE ON 3 OCCASIONS, ROTORS 2 OCCASIONS, BRAKES 1 OCCASION, CONTROL ARMS (SUSPENSION) 1 OCCASION, STEERING 1 OCCASION, & ELECTRICAL. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE 54,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE ONGOING ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER, ROD HARRIS, ADMITS IT A LIFTER TICKING BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS NORMAL. CHRYSLER GAVE ME AN "ADDED CARE SERVICE CONTRACT" THAT IS GOOD THROUGH 6/26/04 AND TO 75,000 MILES. PLAN CODE IS AD675H. THEY REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, AFTER THE FIRST THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT, I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER ON 1/12/04. ALSO NOTE THEY STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE TODAY 1/12/04 BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT'S BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 1/7/04. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE FAILING NOW WITH MY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER.
NHTSA complaint #10052955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
ME CAR WAS PURCHASED USED 1/16/03, SINCE PURCHASE, HAVE HAD SEVERAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS; IDLER PULLEY WARPED, BROKE POWER STEERING BELT WHILE ON ROAD COOLING FAN MOTOR WENT OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR -THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 DODGE INTREPID BLEW -UP WHEN I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE (ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC). I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL LOCAL AUTO MECHANICS AND DODGE DEALERSHIPS THAT THESE ENGINES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING QUIT WHEN ENGINE QUIT. CAR DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL MECHANIC " NEEDS ENGINE REPLACED".
NHTSA complaint #10032955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
1998 DODGE INTREPID--RACK AND PINION FAILED/BROKE. I HAD PULLED UP TO THE CURB TO RETRIEVE THE MAIL AND AS I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PULL AWAY, I FELT/HEARD A LOUD POP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE RACK AND PINION AS THE R&P HAS FAILED/BROKEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FREELY TURN BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AT A COST OF $650.00. FORTUNATELY, THE DEALER SPLIT THE COST WITH ME AS I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) 30 DAYS PRIOR. I WAS STILL OUT $350.00. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY, SPECIFICALLY MY WIFE AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON HAD THAT PART FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC. IT COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES...I ALSO HAVE A SLIGHT SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I'M GUESSING A WARPED ROTOR AS I RECALL READING SOMETHING ABOUT THAT BEING AN INTREPID PROBLEM ALSO....I WARN ANY OF YOU WHO ARE HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE YOU DRIVE IT....THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM THAT WONT BE RECALLED COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #10021343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
1998 DODGE INTREPID--RACK AND PINION FAILED/BROKE. I HAD PULLED UP TO THE CURB TO RETRIEVE THE MAIL AND AS I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PULL AWAY, I FELT/HEARD A LOUD POP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE RACK AND PINION AS THE R&P HAS FAILED/BROKEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FREELY TURN BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AT A COST OF $650.00. FORTUNATELY, THE DEALER SPLIT THE COST WITH ME AS I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) 30 DAYS PRIOR. I WAS STILL OUT $350.00. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY, SPECIFICALLY MY WIFE AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON HAD THAT PART FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC. IT COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES...I ALSO HAVE A SLIGHT SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I'M GUESSING A WARPED ROTOR AS I RECALL READING SOMETHING ABOUT THAT BEING AN INTREPID PROBLEM ALSO....I WARN ANY OF YOU WHO ARE HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE YOU DRIVE IT....THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM THAT WONT BE RECALLED COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #10021343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING RACK FAILED PREMATURELY
NHTSA complaint #10005578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BUSHINGS. THERE IS A CRUNCHING TYPE OF NOISE HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEN SITTING AT IDLE AND CRANKING WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BUSH ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #565780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED IN JAN. 1998 AND IS NOT OLD ENOUGH OR HAS NOT HAD HARSH ENOUGH TREATMENT TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAIL. WE FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE STEERING CAN LOCK UP DURING A TURN (IT DID FOR US) WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE THE CAR WOULD BE GOING IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION. I FOUND SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT TOPIC AND FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLES OR REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO INCURR UNNECESSARY REPAIR EXPENSES DUE TO EITHER LOW QUALITY PARTS OR BAD DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #763359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LOOSE, AND VEHICLE IS HARD TO STRAIGHTEN OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN.
NHTSA complaint #8007323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR A RIGHT TURN AN UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURS WITHIN STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8003083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES. VEHICLE HIT A TREE. ALSO, STEERING LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER SENDING INSPECTOR TO CHECK VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #897579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THERE IS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #892445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT. CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLE SOUND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT STEERING GEAR BOX WAS UNSAFE , AND NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL STEERING GEAR WAS FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #890972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
FRONT TIE RODS ARE CORRODED, WHEELS CANNOT BE ALIGNED ANY LONGER.*AK STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FRONT TIE RODS ARE CORRODED, WHEELS CANNOT BE ALIGNED ANY LONGER.*AK STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
IDLER PULLEY BROKE FIRST TIME IN AUG 1998, THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IT BROKE, AND CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #881689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RATTLE IN STEERING; VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND OUT OF ITS WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #879090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #739337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #736818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. RIGHT REAR DOOR PANEL IS LOOSE. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OFF SPERATICALLY
NHTSA complaint #727388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
GEAR SHIFT CONTROL CABLE-GEAR SELECTOR CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #609580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEELS ARE RUSTING ON OUTSIDE. SURFACE RUST. DODGE STATES THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING AWAY. DODGE SAYS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STARTER IS TOO CLOSE TO THE MUFFLER WITHOUT HEAT SHIELD. POWER WINDOWS SHORTED OUT INTERNALLY, CAUSING FUSE BREAKER TO BE TO HOT TO TOUCH. . DRIVER SIDE MIRROR JUST CRACKED. DEALER SAID IT MAY BE A FLAW. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL FOR THIS REASON. THE GLASS IS NOT AVAILABLE YOU MUST BE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. THE CAR IS ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS OLD AND IS COMING APART. DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL REPAIRS PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #707101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.