Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
We are writing to let you know of a major car fire that occurred in our Dodge Intrepid. The driver was driving on the interstate. The hot/cold needle began moving up and down. Then the brakes gave out. Then, the power steering gave out. The car started smoking producing black chemical smoke into the cabin. Then, fire started shooting out of the vents. With no brakes and fire and smoke into the car, the driver was forced to jump out of the vehicle and roll onto the middle of the interstate with the car still going 30-40 MPH. The driver was in extreme danger inside the car and obviously laying on the interstate as well. The car ended up in the ditch while completely engulfed in flames. He was able to get onto the shoulder of the road. The fire department arrived to put out the fire. They determined the fire started inside the area of the heating core. …
I first noticed that the steering wheel was a bit off center and it has since gotten to the point that there is excessive play in the wheel and the vehicle is very difficult to control. The steering also makes a clunk noise when the wheel is turned back and forth. After doing some research and inspecting the steering system I found that the inner tie rod bushings are almost gone. This is an extremely dangerous design flaw and had it continued the bolts May have sheared and resulted in a total loss of steering. I will now need to replace the inner tie rod bushings, bolts, and plate.
As I was backing into a parallel parking space, I heard a loud pop from under the front of the car, just as I tapped the curb with my back tires at 2 MPH. I went to pull forward to straighten the car and attempt the parking job again, when I realized that I could no longer turn the wheels. The steering wheel turned with ease in my hand, but the tires did not budge with the steering wheel. I had recently had the driver side tie rod and bushings replaced and had an alignment done about a month ago, now I have no steering. Had the car towed to a local mechanic because I'm in a small town and the nearest dealer is 45 miles away. …
The power steering rack and pinion unit failed. Finally the rack was replaced in September 2004. The power steering rack and pinion unit valves had become inoperative and made driving impossible. There was a continual loss of fluid. The consumer was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The most recent incident brought about loud popping and or banging.
Leaving a parking lot space, car suddenly had trouble turning, and felt as though tire locked up and I was unable to control steering properly resulted in crash into a cement light post in parking lot. Damages approx. $ 2,500 to car. Car being repaired.
My wife was driving our 2002 Dodge Intrepid coming from my mothers house, luckily it was at low speed. While she was making a left hand turn the upper steering control arm on the driver side had broken off at the rack and pinion portion of the steering control leaving the car unable to steer. It was then towed to my near by auto mechanic. The next day it was discovered that the rack and pinion was defective at 99,000 miles I had looked for the bolt that held this arm into place it was a grade 8 bolt that stripped out of the rack. Luckily she wasn't on a interstate going 65 MPH while this happened with our 2 kids as this would have left a catastrophe or death upon all three Dodge really needs to make a plan to recall these cars as it shows to be defective materials.
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.
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,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Intrepid years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (152), 1995 (105), 2000 (80), 1997 (61) and 1999 (59) model years. Steering complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Intrepid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Dodge Intrepid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Intrepid steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (204 mentions), followed by the linkages › tie rod assembly (95).
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.