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 2001 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was wearing my seatbelt traveling 30 miles per hour in my 2001 Dodge Intrepid es. My right font tire somehow snapped while I was traveling in a straight course and did not hit any debris or potholes while on the road. I had no control of any steering while it happened and crashed into and oncoming car at 30mph as I said I had my seatbelt on and hit the right front side of the opposing vehicle. The result was a 4 inch gash in my forehead from the b bar of the vehicle because the seatbelt didn't properly restrain me even though it was adjusted to proper shoulder height and pulled tight around my waist. The air bags did not deploy in the car at all. As a result I suffered injuries resulting in the payment of $2900 to my local hospital and ambulance business. …
When driving down the road at night, the vehicle loses all function and power. When this occurs I have no power steering, lights, brakes, nothing. It flickers on and off like that multiple times. It took me 1 1/2 hours to drive home, which should have taken only half hour. This is a serious safety issue. I can't drive the vehicle now in fear that I will be in an accident. This appears to be an ongoing issue with Dodge vehicles. I can't drive my van in fear it will end up killing myself, my family, or some innocent person on the roadway. This needs to be addressed. A recall is needed to find this ongoing issue. There isn't a specific date but a constant issue.
Power steering pump was leaking very badly. We took it to the byers Chrysler dealership at 390 east broad street, [phone] we could see that a bolt/nut had rubbed a hole through the power steering line. The dealer mechanic told us after checking it that we must have run over something because there was a hole in the line and proceeded to let us know that the replacement part is on back-order for up to 6 months. The problem was caused obviously by looking at the part from the nut/bolt rubbing against the line. The dealer did not offer to patch it up or any assistance. When calling around to several other Dodge dealers, I informed that this particular part has been renamed and numbered due to a problem in previous models and is on backorder nationwide but it was never recalled. The new part number is 05101846aa. …
We have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid es 4 months off warranty that needs a complete rack n pinion replacement. After noticing a lack of mobility on corners, we purchased new tires (hey never thought it could be something as huge a defect as this) after they showed some wear and winter is coming. Manueverability on corners became worse and my husband took it in to our dealer today September 27, 2004 and was told it needed a complete rack n pinion, steering stabilizers, and bushings. This car has 38,000 miles on!!! After doing some research on the web, it seems very blatant that it should be a defect on these automobiles or at a minimum a warranty item. I will never let my teenager drive this vehicle and after getting it repaired will trade it. It is a shame that it will probably take many accidents and god forbid deaths before either NHTSA or Dodge will address this issue.
201 Dodge Intrepid: inner tie rods worn at approx. 70,000 miles. Along with rack and pinion leaking fluid. Caused sever problems with steering and car control. Took car to dealer and they said I should not being driving car because of potential steering control loss. Set appointment to have inner tie rod ends replaced and rack and pinion and would notified that it parts were not available for weeks. 1999 Chrysler concord: same exact problem except that only complete steering box rather than rack and pinion was replaced with replacement of inner tie rod ends. Also, both driver side rear brakes prematurely wore and had to be replaced. Passenger side was fine.
The rack and pinion steering on my 2001 Dodge Intrepid r/t started making this creaking and cracking sound it does it 100% of the time I'm driving the dealer said they couldn't find the problem we took it in a second time and they said the steering rack had failed and that they would replace it under warranty so they fixed it drove the car no more than 100 miles and the same creaking and cracking sound was back I fear for our lives because I have heard lots of reports of this problem on these cars and yet Dodge has yet to have a recall for the problem I found this information at www.chryslervehicleproblems.com I hope something can be done thank you
Stopped at stop light and turned to the left steering popped and then there was play in steering wheel. Play got worse over time went to payton Dodge in clinton they replaced tierod on left and had car balanced got car back it was worse informed them, they were supposed to pick the car up never did and after 2 weeks took car to another garage where I almost got run over by a big truck because the car would not hardly turn to the left on sharp turns and was making popping noise the rack and pinion had to be replaced. I think because of the history of Dodge and the rack and pinion payton Dodge did not want to work on it.
I noticed a play in the steering wheel when I bought the car at 42,000 miles. At about 45,000 miles I noticed that steering wheel would "get caught" on something while trying to bring it back to its normal position after turning, and clicking while getting over whatever was catching it. At the same time rattling in the front end came along while driving on uneven surfaces - like a dirt road, bumps, holes on the road. At 46,000 miles I was told I had to replace the whole steering rack asap before I loose the ability to steer my car on the road and hurt me/somebody else.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to veer to the right. The contact turned the steering wheel slightly to the left and then to the right to keep the vehicle driving forward. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic and they stated that either the rack and pinion or an unknown component could be the cause of failure. The contact believes that the manufacturer should take some corrective action. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.
Steering became very problematic starting in July 2006. When turning the car, there were catches when turning in either direction and the problem has grown worse. The car was serviced in early August when the shop diagnosed it and replaced the tie rods. That did not fix it and was then told that the steering gear rack also needed to be replaced. There have been several near-misses as the steering locks when making turns in parking lots or tight spaces.
Steering complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Dodge Intrepid, 6% of the model year's 656 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion › rack (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Intrepid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 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 2001 Dodge Intrepid steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 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.