1996 Dodge Intrepid complaints

THE TWO INNER TIE ROD BOLTS SHEERED AT THE STEERING GEAR SIDE OF THE TIE RODS, CAUSING TOTAL STEERING CONTROL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, THE BOLTS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED, THE ORIGINAL RACK ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC

SINCE PURCHASE THE FUEL RAILS AND O RINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FUEL SYSTEM IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS, CONSUMER WANTS MANUFACTURER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK. *MJS

TIRE HAD ONLY 22,000 ON IT. THE TIRE PRESS WAS CHECKED 5 DAYS EARLIER. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDE WALL. (DOT NUMBER: BEXBEUU379 TIRESIZE: 225/60 R16)

I'M A MOTHER OF A 2 YEAR OLD, AND HAVE TO TAKE HER IN MY CAR EVERYDAY. COME TO FIND OUT MY BUSHINGS ARE BAD, AND THAT WHOLE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH THE PART COSTING $800. PLUS LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP IN TOWN SAID THAT IT IS A COMMON THING IN THE 96 AND 97 INTREPIDS, BECAUSE THEY WENT TO THE NEW BODY, I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR, OR $800 TO GET THIS FIX, AND BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS COMMON. I'VE READ LOTS OF COMPLAITS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND WORRY ABOUT HAVING MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR EVERYDAY. MY STEERING IS VERY LOSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT INCLUDE DATE AND MILAGE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BECAUSE IT WAS A SLOW PROCESS. I JUST NOTICED WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE LOAD NOICE WHEN I TURN. *AK

DURING AND AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A 1996 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 3.3L ENGINE,THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THE RESOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO CRACKS AND THE FULE INJECTORS DUE TO LEAKING O-RINGS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V184000 WHICH ADDRESS THE 3.5L ENGINE IN 1996 DODGE INTREPIDS.

I HEARD NOISES LIKE A LOOSE BOLT IN THE FRONT END. BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES. COULD NOT JUST REPLACE BUSHINGS HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TIE RODS. STILL NOISE IN THE FRONT END WILL HAVE CHECKED SOON. ALSO LOUD NOISE WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN COLD. SOUNDS LIKE METAL IS STICKING.*AK

AS MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION IN A PARKING LOT, SHE PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT. TO DO THIS SHE HAD TO GO AROUND A LIGHT POLE. AS SHE PULLED OUT SHE HIT THE LIGHT POLE. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE DAMAGES. THE DAMAGES WERE, CRUSHED LEFT FRONT BUMPER, A SMALL NIC ON THE HOOD AND A DAMAGED LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY. WITH DAMAGED NOT LOOKING SEVERE, SHE PROCEEDED TO BRING THE AUTOMOBILE HOME. ON HER WAY SHE IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED A CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT, ALTERNATOR LIGH. AS I WENT TO INSPECT THE CAR, I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING PULLY WAS COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE MAIN SERPENTINE BELT WAS MISSING. THE FRAME WAS NO BENT AND THE IS NO WAY THAT ANYTHING COULD HAVE TOUCHED THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING THE PULLY TO BREAK OFF. I AM COURIOS TO ASK IF THIS IS A NOWN PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, LARRY ROUDEBUSH. *AK

NO SUMMARY

CONTIUED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, REPAIRS MADE 2TIMES, DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY IT HAPPENS, ENGINE RPM SURGES EXTREMLY HIGH.AVERAGE RPM AT 60MPH IS 2000RPM, IT IS SURGING WELL OVER 3500RPM ON A FLAT SURFACE

THE FRONT TIE RODS AND THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE STEERING AT FIRST BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULD NOT TRIGGER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. WE FIRST HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED AND THE CAR ALIGNED BUT THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND THEN WERE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE RACK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED CHAMPION CHRYSLER IN INDEPENDENCE, MO AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN "UPGRADE KIT" AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK. WE PURCHASED THE KIT BUT NO ONE WOULD TAKE ON THE REPAIR OTHER THAN THE DEALER, SO WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER.*AK

BUSHINGS WORN ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIE RODS. THIS CAUSED STEERING TO SHAKE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF WHEEL(S) WHILE DRIVING. TIRES WERE WORN BADLY DUE TO TIE ROD PROBLEM. REMEDY CONSISTED OF REPLACING BOTH TIE RODS AND BOTH FRONT TIRES.

LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS THAT MOUNT THE ASSEMBLY TO THE CHASSIS, 90 DEGREES OF EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING CAUSING .CRASHED INTO THE A HILL SIDE AT 15 MILES PERHOUR.VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES.MOST IMPORTANT, POSSIBLE LIFE THREATING DEFECT.VEHICLE HAD THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT,NOT AS BAD BUT GRADUALLY DETERIORATED WITH TIME.$1500 TO REPAIR, THE BUSHINGS CANNOT BE REPLACED SINCE THEY ARE PRESSING INTO THE ASSEMBLY. PLEASE ADVISE!!!*AK

MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED CONSUMER FOR DEFECTIVE TIE ROD, RECENTLY THE OTHER SIDE WENT OUT BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR THE OTHER TIE ROD. NLM

WATER PUMP FAILED / ENGINE OVERHEATED / HEADS WARPED / CYLINDER WALLS DAMAGED NOW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

CONSUMER BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY & TURNED THE WHEEL TO HEAD DOWN THE ROAD, HEARD A LOUD NOISE, STEERING WHEEL SPINNING FREELY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DUE TO BOTH INNER TIE RODS HAD SHEARED OFF.*ET

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

TRANSMISSIONS WENT OUT OF VEHICLE

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM DASHBROAD. SMOKE FOGGED UP ALL WINDOWS, CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. DRIVER QUCKLY PULLED INTO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. A MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. MECHANIC FOUND ALL THREE WIRING HARNESS WERE MELTED TOGETHER. REPAIRS TO VEHICLE THROUGH STATE FARM INSURANCE. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING FAILED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE INNER TIE ROD ATTACHMENT BOLTS BOTH SHEARRED OFF AND THE TIE RODS SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE VEHICLE HAD THESE TIE RODS REPLACED IN SEPT 98 AND THE STEERING RACK REPLACED IN JAN 1999. UNKNOWN IF THIS IS RELATED TO TSB 190899 BUT ATTACHMENT BOLTS DO APPEAR TO HAVE FAILED FROM IMPROPER TORQUE VALUES.

CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY & RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE . DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUT WASN'T SURE WHY IT HAPPENED. *AK

CONSUMER SMELLS GAS IN VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FAMILY MECHANIC, AND NOTICED A GAS LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. CONSUMER CONSTANTLY SMELLS FUMES.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, CAUSING A REAREND ACCIDENT. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER CONTINUALLY NOT WORKING, UNABLE TO FIX PROPERLY. *MJS

BUSHINGS ON RACK AND PINON GONE CAR MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN WHEEL TURNED FOR SHARP TURNS. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE UNDER HOOD & WENT TO THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WHOLE RACK & PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT COMES AS A UNIT AND WAS CAUSED BY SOME OF BUSHINGS BEING WORN OUT. CONSUMER HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, BUT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO HAVE REPLACEMENT DONE AND TO PAY FOR PART OF THE COST. *AK *ML

REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP THAT THEREE WS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. THEY REPLACED THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS IN NOVEMBER OF 1999 AT A COST OF $300. SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURED. THEY SAY THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY IS ONLY 12 MONTHS OR 12 THOUSAND MILES. I AM NOW FACED WITH ANOTHER REPAIR BILL. ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS QUIT WORKING. IT WOULD CUT OFF OR PICK UP SPEED THEN ONE DAY JUST QUIT WORKING TOTALLY. I DONT KNOW ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END OF THESE INTREPIDS THAT THEY DIDNT CORRECT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE BUSHINGS.*AK

EA99031, STEERING RACK AND PINION AND INNER TIE ROD BROKE, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

STEERING WHEEL IS SHIMMYING AND KNOCKING. *AK RIGHT TIE ROD FAILED. *YH

AIR BAGS LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF. AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING COIL BROKE, AND TECHNICIAN HAD TO DISCONNECT THE AIR BAGS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

DEFECTIVE SUN ROOF FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING DUE TO GLUE COMING APART WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH OR INJURIES. *AK *ML

CAR PULLS TO RIGHT. 2 REPAIR SHOPS TOLD ME THE CAR HAS MEMORY STEER OR DEFECT IN STEERING. *AK

RECALL REPAIR (98V-184) NOT COMPLETED AS STATED, POSSIBLE FRAUD BY THE REPAIR FACILITY (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). *MJS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON ROUGH ROAD OR HITTING A SMALL BUMP, FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY,AND INNER TIE ROD ENDS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BAD BUSHINGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

MY PROBLEM STARTED OUT WITH THE STEERING MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THIS PROBLEM HAD WORSENED TO A POINT WHERE THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP AT A CERTAIN POSITION WHILE TURNING LEFT. IT GRADUALLY PROGRESSED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO STARTED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN TURNING RIGHT. NOW THIS PROBLEM IS SO BAD MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF THE CHILDREN ARE IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST NOTICED RECENTLY THAT THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE GEAR RACK, WHERE THE TIE RODS CONNECT, IS VERY LOOSE. IT ALMOST SEEMS THAT THE RACK MAY BE BROKEN AT THAT AREA. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AT ALL. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE, AND MAY BE A HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCUPANTS AS WELL AS PEOPLE IN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES AT ANY TIME. *AK

TRANSMOISSON WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AFTER REVERSE...TURNED CAR ON AND OFF MANY TIMES THEN IT GOES BACK INTO GEAR. *AK

CONSUMER HEARS A BANGING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GOES DOWN THE SHAFT AND FEELS LIKE IT'S UNDER THE ACCELERLATOR, WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP, THE NOISE GOES AWAY, THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER FELL OUT AND WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE, NOW THE BANGING NOISE IS PRESENT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. *SLC

RACK & PINION STEERING & BUSHINGS WERE CHANGED APPROXIMATELY 13 MONTHS AGO. NOW PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. RACK & PINION STEERING/INNER TIE ROD ENDS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO BE EITHER THROWN TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT, IF CUTS OR DEEP CRACKS ARE IN THE ROAD. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK. *AK

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT EFFECTIVENESS OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG (DEPLOYING PREMATURELY OR IMPROPERLY) BECAUSE THE AIR BAG COVER IS PEELED UP ON DASHBOARD CONSUMER IS UNCERTAIN IF COVER WILL CONTAIN AIR BAG DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION OR DURING A LIGHT COLLISION. YH

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM AND FRONT WHEELS. WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS COLD THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND.*AK

BRAKES ON DODGE INTREPID'S SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A QUALITY PRODUCT. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT. THESE DEALERSHIPS ARE ONLY OUT FOR OUR MONEY. THEY MAY SAY SERVICE IS NUMBER 1 BUT THIS IS A LIE. RECALL THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THESE CARS. JUST LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL, RECALL RECALL RECALL....DO THE RIGHT THING, RECALL!!!!*AK

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE-INTERNAL SUN GEAR SHEARED OF SHAFT. REPORTED TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER, FILE #6892984

BUSHINGS AND SEALS IN STEERING WHEEL ARE BAD, AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION. OWNER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *AK

BUSHING AND SEALS IN STEERING WHEEL ARE BAD AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE, THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OWNER DOES NOT THINK THE VEHICLE WILL PASS SAFETY INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION.*AK

BUSHINGS AND THE SEALS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ARE BAD AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THIS HAS NOT EFFECTED THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE YET. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE NON-REPLACEABLE, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION. OWNER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *AK

THE HEADLIGHTS FILL WITH CONDENSATION MAKING THEIR LIGHT OUTPUT MINIMAL AND DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THEY ARE $300 FOR A NEW PAIR AND I CAN'T KEEP PURCHASING A NEW PAIR EVERY 20,000 MILES. THEY ARE DELAMINATING AND THE DEALER SAYS "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE INTREPID" YET THEY WON'T FIX IT. THE DEALER EVEN SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE "ILLEGAL" HIGH OUTPUT OFF ROAD USE ONLY BULBS TO MAKE UP FOR THE "POOR PERFORMANCE". EVERY INTREPID I SEE AROUND TOWN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM!! HELP! *AK

THE UNDERSIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVER'S SIDE OBSTRUCTS THE USAGE OF BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS CAUSES LOSS OF DRIVING OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC DRILLED HOLES IN PANEL. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT RAINS STEERING FEELS REAL LOOSE. IT FEELS AS THOUGH CONSUMER IS ON GLASS. *AK

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. HASN'T CONTACTED DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK DEALER WAS TOLD US AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY UNLESS ACCIDNT IS HEAD -ON. *YH