This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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3 months ago it needed both inner and outer tie rod ends replaced. Today we went around a corner and the rack and pinion failed. No steering and almost hit a parked car. Vechile towed to repair shop and I am waiting to get a estimate. Front end problems and steering problems since we bought it. Transmission is starting to go and we have had the air conditioner worked on 3 years in a row. We are going to trade it in asap.
Was pulling out of parking lot. Felt like the emergency brake was engaged. Had heard a thunk when the steering wheel was turned either left or right. Then another thunk was heard & lost steering power. Was towed to Dodge & informed both steering mounts had broken. Not repairable.
Driver of vehicle lost control and struck a culvert on icy roadway. Extensive front damage to entire front of car. Driver's side air bag did not deploy.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saint Louis, MO, USA