Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
Dt: the contact stated while driving the front passenger tire fell off the vehicle. Had the inner and outer tie rods replaced twice. Did one replacement before the tire fell off. The second replacement was done after the tire came off. The replacements did not remedy the problem. While driving it felt as though the wheels were falling off. When hitting a bump while driving there was a snapping noise from underneath the vehicle. Another concern was the electrical system. Only one headlight will work on bright and only one will work on dim. The contact replaced both bulbs in the headlights, but this did not remedy the problem. He checked the fuses, and there were no problems with them. Also, the headlight switch fell off without being hit or knocked off.
Tl 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.
Owner states that he was involved in a frontal crash when his vehicle hit pole after the steering wheel locked into place, dealer replaced a coupler and the problem returned, when owner took back to dealers he was told that it was secondary damage .
While repairs was being made at the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the tie rod needed to be replaced. The consumer was concerned that this part has less then 41,000 miles of wear.
When I took my Intrepid to benson Dodge and spoke with the service manager on 12/4/2000, I felt as though he was brushing me off. He said he had no knowledge of any investigation or any recall on this vehicle. I showed him the information on the investigation that I printed from your website on 12/2/2000. I informed him that this was an extremely costly repair and I could not afford to have them repair it. He all but told me that the repairs were solely up to me and since I could not afford them, I would eventually wreck the car. I don't know about how things are supposed to be done, but I would think that the first priority of any dealer should be the safety of the people driving their cars. I have an 18 mo old that I transport in this vehicle and this manager did not seem to care that the life of a baby could be at stake. …
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. …
While switching lanes lost control of steering momentarily. Consumer had to use force to get vehicle under control. Took vehicle to two mechanics, and they said that rack and pinion steering had manufacturing design flaw. 2 independent mechanics stated that the bushings on the steering rack were worn and needed to be replaced, also stated that there was too much play or movement in the entire steering mechanism, however replacement of the bushings would not fix the problem since the play or movement in the steering box will continue to causing wear on the bushing, this problem occurs whenever stopping and turning in or out of a driveway, parking lot, etc, or accelerating after a stop, consumer can hear sounds and it feels like something is kicked out or slips from under vehicle's front end, consumer has complained to dealer on 4 occasions. …
I purchased this vehicle with the intent on having last through the pay-off. I am very concerned about this happening. At 30,000 mile the air-conditioning system went out completely and had to be replaced. At 50,000 the transmission went out and had to be replaced. A transmission was replaced at a Dodge dealer but I was only given 12,000 mile warranty. At 70,000 miles the front-end struts, strut plates, inner tie rods, and other was replace. This front end is still not right as it drifts and has too much play in the steering. Many others with the exact same repairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA investigations
Steering system rack and pinion
Since opening the preliminary evaluation (pe), odi has received 6 additional complaints.during the pe it was determined multiple failure modes are involved in this matter.the warranty claim rate is high for a steering system concern.the issues reported involve premature wear out at the rack and pinion interface with the inner tie rod end(s), binding and sticking of the steering gear, cracked or broken tie rod ends,…
Steering system rack and pinion
There is no summary currently available
Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) by letter dated April 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(g), NHTSA has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models,…
Steering complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1995 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the steering of the 1995 Dodge Intrepid, 18% of the model year's 589 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Intrepid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1995 Dodge Intrepid, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Intrepid steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.