1996 Dodge Intrepid complaints

WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO TAKE SOME ACTION AGAINST THIS VERY SERIOUS DESIGN/PART FAILURE. I HAVE SEARCHED THE DATABASE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT STEERING FAILURE. THIS WILL COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. HERE IS THE PROBLEM. THE BUSHINGS ON THE INNER TIE ROD DETERIORATE. ON MY CAR IT HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BUSHING AT 30,000 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD(THEY DIDN'T JUST SELL THE BUSHING). AT ABOUT 33,000 THE OTHER ONE WENT OUT SO I REPLACE IT. HAD I NOT KNOWN WHAT TO LOOK FOR (THE WAVERING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ALLERTED ME) I COULD HAVE EVENTUALLY SHEERED THE BOLTS ON THE GEAR HOUSING. AT 71,000 THE STEARING STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. WELL THIS TIME THE BUSHINGS THAT HOLD THE GEAR HOUSING TO THE FRAME HAVE DETERIORATED. FORTUNATELY IT WAS CAUGHT IN TIME. WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS AS YOU STEERED LEFT OR RIGHT THE GEAR HOUSING WOULD MOVE ABOUT THREE INCHES. AS YOU WOULD OVERSTEER, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WOULD GO AS FAR ONE WAY AS IT COULD THEN IT WOULD ACTUALLY TURN THE WHEELS. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AND BEFORE WE HAVE TO WASTE MORE MONEY PAYING DODGE FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BREAK THIS EASY. THEY SELL US A PIECE OF CRAP AND WE HAVE TO PAY THEM BIG TO REPAIR IT. DO SOMETHING ALREADY!*AK

THE RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION, THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TIRE ROD TO THE RACK SNAPPED, FOUR MONTHS LATER THE EXACT SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. *SLC

WHEN VEHICLE GETS TO OPERATING TEMPERATURER RADIATOR FLUID BACK FLUSHES OUT OF THE FILLER JUG UNTIL THERE IS NO MORE COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM THE MOTOR GETS HOT. I HAVE CHANGED THE RADIATOR FILLER JUG CAP, CHECKED THE HOSES, FLUSHED OUT THE RADIATOR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.*AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A GAS ODOR. RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V184000 FUEL INJECTION WAS PERFORMED, BUT AFTER RECALL REPAIR THE FUEL ODOR RETURNED, THE RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE FOUR TIMES YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT THE HEATER DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY, THE POWER DOOR LOCK WOULDN'T LOCK, THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN, THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TOO DIM, THE DOORS SQUEAKED, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES, THERE WAS PLAY IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE INNER TIE RODS AND POWER STEERING GEAR BUSHINGS. *JB

NHTSA RECALL98 V 184 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 790 CONCERNING FUEL LEAKAGE: FUEL LINE FROM THE INJECTOR SYSTEM IS LEAKING FUEL ONTO 3.5L ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE BLEWOUT WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH OWNER THEN SMELLING FUEL. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER,ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

BUSHINGS IN RACK AND PINION SYSTEM ALONG WITH TIE RODS FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE WOBBLING SEVERELY. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THOSE VEHICLES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS

AIRBAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS FALLING OUT OF DASHBOARD.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FUEL LEAK, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES AND FUEL RAIL, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, CONSUMER IS ALSO REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

WHILE PARKED FUEL LINE RUPTURED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND REPAIRED IT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND SPRAY FUEL ALL OVER ENGINE AND ONTO THE FLOOR. *YH

WHEN MAKING TURNS THERE IS A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, MOSTLY AFTER FIRST START. MECHANIC STATED RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HER SON WAS DRIVING WHEN AN AUTO TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT FENDER, MIDDLE OF HOOD, AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. NEITHER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WAS SUSTAINED. NLM

RECALL 98V184 000/FUEL LEAKAGES: VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL INJECTION SYSTEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED IN 1999, HOWEVER HE FEELS THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, THERE IS A BURNING FUEL SMELL.*YD

CONSUMER HAD RECALL (98V184000) WORK PERFORMED REGARDING THE FUEL RAIL AND IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.*JB

DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AT 40 MPH TO AVOID A BUS AND NOTICED OIL ON THE GROUND ABOUT 40 MILES LATER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT GASKETS ON WHEEL CYLINDER HAD POPPED OUT, AND WERE CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. DRIVER INSISTED THAT IF ALL BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT THERE WILL BE NO BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ENGINE SPORADICALLY STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVNG. SOMETIMES IT WILL START BACKING UP IF ENGINE COOLS OFF. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 4 TIMES, AND CANT DUPLICATE OR FIX PROBLEM. *AK

MY SON WAS PUT IN HIS CARSEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT. HE WAS WIGGLING AROUND AND THE SEATBELT UNFASTENED. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. WE SAW A PROGRAM LAST NIGHT THAT TOLD US OTHERWISE. THESE NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *AK

CAR EQUIPPED WITH GEN 3 TYPE SEAT BELTS PROVEN UNSAFE IN TESTING.*AK

VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR TIMING BELT PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH FUEL RAIL LEAKING.*AK *TT

UPON STARTING VEHICLE FIRE BROKE OUT IN THROTTLE BODY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

I HAD ALMOST CONSTANT PROBLEMS I.E. MECHANICAL,EQUIPMENT AND FOUGHT A NEVERENDING BATTLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP/WARRANTY DEPT. AND LOST WORK/JOBS ULTIMATELY LEADING TO HAVING NO MONEY TO ALL MY MONTHLY BILLS OR TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED, I HAD TO VOLUNTARILY GIVE UP TO REPOSESSION TO THE LENDER, AND JUST RECENTLY OVER A YEAR LATER I AM RECIEVING NOTICES OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ON THIS VEHICLE.CAUS. NO SAFETY DEFEC TSTATED. *AK

WHILE TURNING VEHICLE TO RIGHT IT KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD DISINTEGRATED. MECHANIC REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND TIE RODS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, RACK PINION FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD.*AK *SLC

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RIGHT SIDE INNER TIE ROD CONNECTING BOLT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING TO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND TOTAL LOSS OF CONTOL OF VEHICLE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED FAILURE OF BOTH INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS.VEH TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. DAIMER CHRYSLER CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COMPENSATE FOR REPAIRS. COST OF REPAIR $ 1600.00 WHICH INCLUDES COST OF A REMANUFACTURED STEERING UNIT BECAUSE THE TIE ROD BOLT SHEARRED OFF INSIDE THE UNIT.

CHRYSLER 42LE TRANSMISSION/ LOCKED INTO LIMP MODE-SLIPPING BETWEEN SHIFTS. *AK

A RUBBER BUSHING, FRAME MOUNT HAS BROKE CAUSING MY CAR AND MOTOR TO SHAKE CAUSING A OIL LEAK AND VARIES OTHER PROBLEMS. I DON'T FELL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BROKE, I BODY MOUNT HOLDS YOUR WHOLE CAR TOGETHER. IT IS NOT A MOTOR MOUNT, IT'S A BODY/FRAME MOUNT. *AK

PREMATURE BUSHING FAILURE IN STEERING COLUMN. I REPORTED IT TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY TOLD ME TOO BAD AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. ANOTHER WORDS PAY THE $500.00 TO GET IT FIXED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER.

THE FAILURE COMPONENT IS THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE INDICATION WAS A CLUNKING SOUND, HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD (UNDER 40F.). ONCE THE VEHICLE/STEERING WARMS UP, THE CLUNKING NOISE GOES AWAY. APPARENTLY, FROM READING OTHER REPORTS, THE CLUNKING SOUND IS THE PRECURSOR TO TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. IN MY CASE, I AM HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1200. THIS IS A VERY BASIC COMPONENT, WHICH SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE NORMAL COURSE OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. I AM ATTEMPTING TO HAVE DAMLER/CHRYSLER EITHER COVER THE COST OF FAILURE UP FRONT, OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY PROCESS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. LOSS OF LIFE COULD OCCUR IF THE STEERING FAILS.*AK

AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT BUSHINGS WERE PREMTURELY WEARING OUT. THIS PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM BEING ALIGNED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

I THINK CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THE WATER PUMP ON 3.5L INTREPIDS, THEY ARE A VERY POORLY DESIGNED. *AK

I HAVE THE CAR IN FOR THE 2ND TIME TO GET THE SAME RECALL DONE, THE FUEL O RINGS AND FUEL RAIL, MY ENGINE WAS SPRAYING GAS. I WONDER IF IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE REPAIRED THIS TIME. I HOPE IT DOES'NT TAKE A MAJOR EXPLOSION OR ACCIDENT FOR DODGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR OFFER A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I THINK THIS CAR IS A LEMON. *AK

HOOD LATCH RELEASES AND CAUSES HOOD TO FALL DOWN. HOOD HAS RELEASED ON TWO OCCASIONS.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

HEAD-ON COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SENSORS BROKEN IN CRASH. HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS.*AK

TWO BOLTS SHEARED OFF BRACKET IN RACK AND PINION, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND CHRYSLER WILL OPEN A FILE OUT ON THE PROBLEM. BUT, VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES, AND NO WARRANTY/ RECALL. *AK

STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING THE VEHICLE GO OUT OF CONTROL. CAUSE IS POORLY DESIGNED STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSES STRESS ON STEERING RACK BUSHINGS MAKING THEM FAIL PREMATURELY. BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEM RE-OCCURED A YEAR AFTER FIRST REPLACEMENT. INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE A RATTLING NOISE WAS COMING FROM FRONT END. A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM OF REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CORRODING. REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

1. THE INNER PROBLEM HAPPAN 2 TIMES IN LESS THEN A YEAR. THE WEEL IS NOT REACTING GOOD, AND WHEN YOU TERN LEFT THE WEEL STAYS THERE, AND WHEN YOU TERN RIGHT IT STAYS THERE. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENGINE IS SHAKING ON REVERSE AND MAKING NOICE. THE ENGINE HOLDERS ARE BROKEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, BOLTS IN RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS. *NOTE: PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

THE RUBBER BUSHINGS (UNDER THE BOLTS) THAT CONNECT THE RACK AND PINION TO THE CHASSIS OF THE AUTOMOBILE ERODED AND DISINTEGRATED MAKING THE BOLTS LOOSE AND RENDERING THE RACK AND PINION TO BECOME VERY LOOSE. THE BOLTS COULD HAVE BROKEN OR SNAPPED OFF AND THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF, MAYBE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE RACK AND PINION IS NOW DAMAGED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.*AK

PASSENGER'S SEAT METAL ROD BROKE AND WAS STICKING OUT, IT TEARS PASSENGER'S CLOTHES. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

THE FUEL RAIL WAS REPAIRED AS PART OF A RECALL IN 1998. THE SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN IN THE SAME FASHION WITH THE DANGERS INVOLVED.

DIP STICK TO CHECK OIL BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS CHECKING OIL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

VEHICLE STARTED UP BY ITSELF. WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO RESTART VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS USED AND NEVER PASSED INSPECTION. CHRYSLER REFERRED CONSUMER TO DEALER,AND HISTORY SHOWED THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED BEFORE. PLEASE ADD THE VIN# AND MILEAGE.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AIR CONDITIONER CAME ON BY ITSELF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME THROUGH VENTS, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

AIRCONDITIONER CAME ON BY ITSELF AGAIN - RECURRING PROBLEM OVER LAST 4 YEARS. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE FROM THE A/C VENTS. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE RIGHTSIDE DASHBOARD BURST IN TO FLAMES. RECURRING DASHBOARD, ELECTRICAL & A/C PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FOR IN FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN 4YRS SAME PROBLEM/. *AK

FRONT SUB-FRAME MOUNTS FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND HAD TOO MUCH PLAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK