329 of the
8,078 complaints filed about the Dodge Intrepid
are about the suspension —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
I BOUGHT THIS 1999 DODGE INTREPID FROM CLIFFS USED CARS SALES TWO MONTHS AGO. EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD ONE MONTH OR LESS LATER DRIVER SEAT BREAKS GOES BACKWARDS. THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT. TRIED EVERY TYPE IF BULB ITS THE HOUSING UNITS. NOW FRONT EBR CLYNKS OVER EVERY BUMP AND MAJESA THUNP WHEN HARD TURBUBG LFT OR RT. STEERING IS OUT IF LINE. HAVE NO MEANS OF GETTING IT REPAIRED STILL PAYING IN IT. 166000 NILES AND OWE $1500.00. CAN ANYONE HELP ME? THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE RECALLS
NHTSA complaint #10979716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I HAVE A 2004 DODGE INTREPID I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE MOTORS I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THAT CARD AND I PAID FOR IT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW AT THE TIME I HAVE ON THAT THERE'S ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT ADDED TO THE 60 ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN YET EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND THERE WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM THAT CRACK MY HEAD BUT IT NEVER RAN HOT TO GIVE ME ANY WARNING BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP LEAKAGE THE MOTOR HAS ALWAYS HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE NOBODY EVER TOLD ME WHEN I HAD IT WORKED ON BUT THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID MOTORS ALL HAVE TROUBLE WITH OR PRESSURE MY CAR IS NO LONGER WORKING IT IS SITTING OUT IN MY YARD THE BODY IS GOOD INTERIOR IS GOOD I JUST PUT NEW TIRES ON IT I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE GETTING MOISTURE IN IT HAD TROUBLE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED THE BALL BEARING THE JOINTS THAT AXLE I NEED HELP [XXX] PUT A USED MOTOR IN IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND YOU MOTOR COST MONEY AND IT WILL PROBABLY WIND UP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR LIKE TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT MY CAR TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME I'M IN COLUMBUS GEORGIA MY NAME IS [XXX] I'M PRETTY SURE YOU CAN GET MY NUMBER IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME MY EMAIL IS [XXX] IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I ONLY THAT ONE MECHANIC WORK ON MY CAR AND HE CAN TELL YOU ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAD SINCE I HAD IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR THE CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD LOST ALL THE WATER HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIX IT I'M ON SOCIAL SECURITY I GET 822 A MONTH I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW MOTOR AND THEN IT WOULD BE THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M HAVING NOW HAD TROUBLE EVER SINCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10790438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS BACKING INTO A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE, I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR, JUST AS I TAPPED THE CURB WITH MY BACK TIRES AT 2 MPH. I WENT TO PULL FORWARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR AND ATTEMPT THE PARKING JOB AGAIN, WHEN I REALIZED THAT I COULD NO LONGER TURN THE WHEELS. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH EASE IN MY HAND, BUT THE TIRES DID NOT BUDGE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND BUSHINGS REPLACED AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE ABOUT A MONTH AGO, NOW I HAVE NO STEERING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE I'M IN A SMALL TOWN AND THE NEAREST DEALER IS 45 MILES AWAY. THEY SAID THAT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TIE RODS TO THE RACK HAD "POPPED OUT." NOT SURE IF THIS IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS BOTH BOLTS POPPED OUT OR IF IT WAS THE RESULT OF A POOR MECHANICAL REPAIR AT THE LAST SHOP, BUT AFTER READING MANY REVIEWS ON THE CAR, IT IS POSSIBLE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. HOWEVER THE MECHANIC STATED "IN MY 25+ YEARS OF MECHANICAL WORK, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHERE IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING THE DRIVER DID OR COULD HAVE PREVENTED."
NHTSA complaint #10499782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE OUT OF NOWHERE BLEW UP, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WATER AND OIL CAME OUT OF THE OIL SPOUT, ALSO ALWAYS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, HAVING TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE THE RUBBERS IN THE STABILIZER BARS, I'M COMPLAINING BECAUSE THE CAR IS A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #10483945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT REVERSED AND DROVE OVER A TWO INCH BEAM. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE CONTROL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V215000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE RECALL HOWEVER, WAS ONLY ISSUED FOR THE 2004 MODEL DODGE INTREPID AND NOT THE 1997 MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10459877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2009. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS. AT FIRST THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE CONTROL ARM- COMPLETELY LOOSE AND ALMOST DISCONNECTED. IT HADN'T BEEN LIKE THAT WHEN I MADE THIS WASTE OF A PURCHASE. OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS (12/2/2011), THE PROBLEMS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE (AND MORE EXPENSIVE). THE LOUD BANG IS BACK, ADDING TO IT A LACK OF FULL CONTROL OF STEERING. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD (ENTIRE SYSTEM) AND THE RACK AND PINION. I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WAS DISCONTINUED, JUST NOT WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10438134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR BUSHING AND MOTOR MOUNTS WORE PREMATURELY AND NEEDED CONSTANT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10436762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM ENGINE CRADLE RESULTING IN TOTAL IMMOBILIZATION OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET WHICH IS WELDED TO THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT CAUSING FAILURE. SIMILAR FAILURES ON OLDER MODELS HAVE HAD NHTSA RECALLS, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 99V215000, ISSUED DUE TO LOSS OF POWER OR CONTROL RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE FOR WEAR PARTS SUCH AS BRAKES, SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION JOINTS TO FAIL DUE TO USE AND MILEAGE BUT FRAME MEMBERS SHOULD BE MADE SOLID AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURER TO ENSURE LONG TERM RELIABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10383868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AFTER FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO QUICKLY PULL OVER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED COMPLETELY AND WAS RESTING ON A BRAND NEW TIRE. THE TIRE WAS SMOKING AND DESTROYED. IT HAD ONLY MILLIMETERS OF TREAD LEFT BEFORE THE STRUT WOULD HAVE PUNCTURED AND EXPLODED THE TIRE. LATER AT A GARAGE, THE STRUT WAS SHOWN TO HAVE BROKEN COMPLETELY. ALTHOUGH I SURVIVED THIS NEAR DISASTROUS INCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN MUCH WORSE FOR ME AND OTHER INTERSTATE USERS NEARBY.
NHTSA complaint #10383422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE FATIGUED AND SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. SUPPORT ARM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WEAKENED BY RUST CORROSION, APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE CORROSION RESISTANCE. INSPECTION OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ARM APPEARS TO BE WEAKENED FROM RUST CORROSION AS WELL AND MOST LIKELY WILL FAIL FROM FATIGUE TOO. CONCERN THAT FAILURE OCCURS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10286700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING 10 MPH, THERE WAS SHAKING SENSATION ACCOMPANIED BY DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE DEALERS TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WOULD COST $1000.00 TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,890.
NHTSA complaint #10266525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOTHING LED UP TO THE FAILURE, IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I NOTICED MY CAR STARTED SWAYING AND "FLOATING" I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND LOOKED UNDER THE LEFT REAR TO SEE THAT THE SWAY BAR SNAPPED AT THE JOINT, AND THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD DISCONNECTED. THE RUBBER BUSHING IS STILL IN THE ARM, BUT NOT THE BOLT. CAN'T FIND A NEW SWAY BAR, BUT I HAVE A REPAIR KIT FOR THE LINK. THIS INCIDENT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE OVER 20 MPH WITH WHEEL SHAKING. CANNOT REVERSE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10254275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT STARTED OUT MY STEERING WOULD GET REALLY TIGHT AND YOU COULDN'T MOVE IT AT ALL AND IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY NOW WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACK-N-PINION AND SO THEY FIXED IT AND ITS STILL DOING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10251846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD TO HAVE ALOT OF FRONT END WORK DONE ON TIE ROD ENDS AND BUSHINGS WORN OUT THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKES FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND CAUSED A ACCIDENT WHOLE FRONT END TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHY IS IT THAT DODGE AUTO AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10247790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
REPEATED OVERHEATING PROBLEMS RESULTED IN REPLACING MY RADIATOR TWO TIMES, THERMOSTAT THREE TIMES AND THERMOSTAT W/ BREATHER HOUSING TWO TIMES. COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES EXTERNAL METAL PIPES WHICH HELP CIRCULATE COOLANT TO HEATER. THE PIPES ARE HIDDEN FROM CLEAR VIEW AND WHEN MINE SPRUNG LEAKS DUE TO THEIR PLACEMENT THE LEAKS WERE DIAGNOSED AS BEING BLOWN HEAD/HEAD GASKET BY THREE SEPARATE SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF PIPES SOLVED OVERHEATING. MOISTURE GETS TRAPPED IN AND AROUND THE FRAME AND SUBFRAME AREAS WHERE THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE LOCATED AND ALLOWS FOR UNNECESSARY PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF ALL THE MOUNTS, BUSHINGS, MAIN FRAME AND SUBFRAME. THIS HIDDEN CONDITION HAS RESULTED IN ALL MOUNTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION DROPPING, FRONT INNER&OUTER TIE RODS AND BUSHINGS GOING OUT, RACK N PINION PROBLEMS AND THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSING. DOCUMENTED RECORDS SHOW THAT FROM 2004 THROUGH 2008 ON AVERAGE I DROVE 7000 MILES A YEAR. IN THAT 28000 MILES I REPLACED ALL MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, ALL 4 INNER&OUTER TIE ROD BUSHINGS/ENDS TWICE, RADIATOR TWICE, THERMOSTAT HOUSING TWICE, COOLANT PIPES ONCE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES. I AM REPLACING SUBFRAME, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND FRONT AXLE AGAIN. I CONTINUE FIXING THE CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT BUT I AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEERING, AXLE OR BRAKES GIVING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC. SO CONCERNED MY DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS IN CASE OF FATALITY RESULTING FROM THE DEFECTS MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10246579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.