NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
152 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
PURCHASED 1996 DODGE INTREPID IN MAY 2005. FOLLOWING WEEK HAD TO TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALER RE: BRAKES, TO NO AVAIL. A MECHANIC STATED BRAKES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS ADVISED THAT TIRES WERE NOT IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION EITHER. KEPT HEARING STRANGE SOUNDS (RATTLING NOISES) FROM THE CAR. IN AUGUST, SMOKE STARTED COMIN…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED 1996 DODGE INTREPID IN MAY 2005. FOLLOWING WEEK HAD TO TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALER RE: BRAKES, TO NO AVAIL. A MECHANIC STATED BRAKES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS ADVISED THAT TIRES WERE NOT IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION EITHER. KEPT HEARING STRANGE SOUNDS (RATTLING NOISES) FROM THE CAR. IN AUGUST, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CAR WOULD NOT STEER AT ALL. HAD TO TAKE CAR TO MECHANIC, WHO TOLD US FAN BELT HAD COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AND POWER STEERING LINE. HE ALSO ADVISED THAT RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FINALLY, ON AUGUST 26TH, WAS GETTING IN CAR TO DRIVE AND DID NOT GET VERY FAR, WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND TWO BOLTS ON THE GROUND. PLEASE HELP !!! DISTRESSED. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE HERE? HAVE RECEIPTS, BUT DO NOT HAVE OLD PARTS. *JB *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10134636
112,000 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Steering
MY SON WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON AUGUST 10 2005. HE WAS DRIVING A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. HE WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN HIS STEERING CONTROL WAS SUDDENDLY AND COMPLETELY LOST. HIS CAR WENT OVER A CURB AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO STOP. NO ONE WAS HURT. INSPECTION OF THE CAR SHOWED THAT 2 BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE TIE…
Read full complaint
MY SON WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON AUGUST 10 2005. HE WAS DRIVING A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. HE WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN HIS STEERING CONTROL WAS SUDDENDLY AND COMPLETELY LOST. HIS CAR WENT OVER A CURB AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO STOP. NO ONE WAS HURT. INSPECTION OF THE CAR SHOWED THAT 2 BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE TIE RODS TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED. A PICTURE HERE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS. IF YOU GO TO THIS SITE : HTTP://WWW.ALLPAR.COM/FIX/INTREPID-STEERING.HTML YOU WILL SEE A CLEAR PICTURE OF 2 CENTER BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK AND PINION STEEING. THESE WERE THE 2 BOLTS THAT SUDDENLY BROKE LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO STEERING CONTROL. IF THAT HAD HAPPENED A WEEK EARLIER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY SON ON A SUPER HIGHWAY I AM QUITE SURE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE WOULD BE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL OR WORSE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I FOULD ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE TO REPLACE THESE BOLTS. HIS CAR HAD 112,000 MILES ON WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURED. YOU'RE RECALL OF THESE CARS I FEEL WOULD SAVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES. THANK YOU!
NHTSA ODI #10133598
77,000 miles · Jun 4, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
I WOULD FIRST AND FORMOST LIKE TO REPORT THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE STEERING RACK ON MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID AT AROUND 77,000 MILES. THE RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A HEFTY PRICE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ALARMINGLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER LH BODIED VEHICALS, ESPECIALLY DODGE INTREPIDS, AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YE…
Read full complaint
I WOULD FIRST AND FORMOST LIKE TO REPORT THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE STEERING RACK ON MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID AT AROUND 77,000 MILES. THE RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A HEFTY PRICE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ALARMINGLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER LH BODIED VEHICALS, ESPECIALLY DODGE INTREPIDS, AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. I HAD THE RACK REPLACED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND ALREADY MY CAR IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF MORE STEERING RELATED PROBLEMS. I DRIVE ONLY A MODERATE AMOUNT SO THIS COULD NOT BE JUST "USUAL WEAR AND TEAR". IN ADDITION TO THE STEERING RACK, WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE AN AXEL REPLACED, ALL OF THE BREAKS DUE TO PREMATURLY WARPED ROTORS (THE BREAKS ACTUALLY WENT OUT ONCE AND I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE), THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND GETS STUCK IN GEAR FOR A MYSTEROUS REASON NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT, AND A LOOSE WIRE CAUSED THE CAR CAUSED MULTABLE DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS. (THE DATE BELOW IS NOT ACCURATE, THESE THINGS OCCURED BETWEEN 2003 AND PRESENT)
NHTSA ODI #10124178
74,189 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Steering
HAVE JUST BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS APPARENTLY WITH THE CERNTER TAKE OFF SYSTEM, HAVE HAD IT AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN KINGSPORT (1-423-247-3155), THEY PUT STEERING BUSHINGS ON IT, COSTLY REPAIR, STILL DID NOT TOUCH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A HORRIBLE PROBLEM STEERING THE CAR, APPARENTLY THERE WAS A REPORT ISSUED TO THEM ABOUT THE SYST…
Read full complaint
HAVE JUST BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS APPARENTLY WITH THE CERNTER TAKE OFF SYSTEM, HAVE HAD IT AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN KINGSPORT (1-423-247-3155), THEY PUT STEERING BUSHINGS ON IT, COSTLY REPAIR, STILL DID NOT TOUCH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A HORRIBLE PROBLEM STEERING THE CAR, APPARENTLY THERE WAS A REPORT ISSUED TO THEM ABOUT THE SYSTEM IN 01-31-1999, BUT THEY DID NOT NOTIFY THE CAR OWNERS. HAVE THOUGHT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH A STARTER PULLEY, NOTICED SOME ENGINE SHAKE, SLIGHTLY, A LITTLE SMOKE AROUND THE BACK BUMPER, THE CAR HAS 74 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I HAVE MY RECORDS AND THE PREVIOUS OWNERS RECORDS OF REPAIRS AND OIL CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN KEPT UP. ONLINE I HAVE READ OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WRECKED AND DIED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CENTER TAKE OFF SYSTEM OF THESE CARS, (BUSHINGS, THE RACK AND PINION GEER INTERFACE, INNER TIEROD, ON THE STEERING GEAR) FAILURE IS UNAVOIDABLE WITHOUT A COSTLY REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. I HAVE ALSO READ OF ENGINES SIEZING UP AT AROUND 40 THOUSAND MILES EVEN WITH PROPER MATINENCE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THIS CAR, I AM DISABLED AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER OR HAVE THE FACTORY DEFECTS FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE NOICE OF THE LH FAMILY OF CARS, BUT INSTEAD HAVE SENT ME DOWN THE ROAD OF COSTLY REPAIRS KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THE REPAIRS MADE WILL NOT FIX THIS CAR. THESE CARS ARE A HAZZARD AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOV DOES NOT GET INVOLVED AND PROTECT THE CONSUMER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD FROM THE PROSPECT OF HORRIBLE INJUIRES AND POSSIBLE DEATH DUE TO THIS BIG CORPERATION'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116557
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2005
Steering
STEERING IS LOOSE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117461
72,000 miles · Feb 18, 2005
Steering
WHILE AT A STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111762
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2004
EquipmentSteeringInjury
FRONT END OF CAR SHOOK MILDLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO MECHANIC, WHO SAID STRUTS WOULD NEED REPLACING WITHIN NEXT 3 MONTHS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, WHILLE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD, RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FELL APART, ONE WHEEL WENT ONE WAY, THE OTHER WHEEL WENT ANOTHER WAY, CAR THUDDED TO A HOLT VIOLENTLY. TOWED TO REPAIR…
Read full complaint
FRONT END OF CAR SHOOK MILDLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO MECHANIC, WHO SAID STRUTS WOULD NEED REPLACING WITHIN NEXT 3 MONTHS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, WHILLE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD, RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FELL APART, ONE WHEEL WENT ONE WAY, THE OTHER WHEEL WENT ANOTHER WAY, CAR THUDDED TO A HOLT VIOLENTLY. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, HAS BEEN IN SHOP 2 MONTHS ALREADY, HAVE HAD RACK AND PINION, WATER PUMP, STRUTS, TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP, AND POWER STEERING PUMP SENSOR RELPACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT TURN, AND IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE OR REPAIRABLE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DEALER CERTFIED USED CAR 4 MONTH EARLIER, APPROX 90000 MILES. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS SO FAR ARE $1,500 - $3,000 AND CLIMBING EVERY DAY. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10100862
80,000 miles · Nov 18, 2004
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THEN, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BUSHING WAS WORN OUT, AND STEERING RACK BROKE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10101299
98,000 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE RACK AN PINION BUSHING FAILED HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION.ALSO THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED THE RING FOR THE ABS AND TRACION CONTROL COME OFF THE AXLE.THERES A SHORT IN THE IGNTION SWITCH, THE GAUGES DONT WORK, AND THE CAR WONT DRIVE IT GOS IN DEFAULT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093730
93,700 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL MY WIFE STATED THE CAR "DRIFTED" IN THE LANE A LOT WITHOUT STEERING INPUT. I TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE, NOTICED A STRANGE "FEEL" TO THE STEERING AND THE DRIFT SHE SPOKE OF. I DECIDED IT WAS UNSAFE FOR HER TO DRIVE AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO BE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC PUT IT UP ON THE RACK A…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL MY WIFE STATED THE CAR "DRIFTED" IN THE LANE A LOT WITHOUT STEERING INPUT. I TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE, NOTICED A STRANGE "FEEL" TO THE STEERING AND THE DRIFT SHE SPOKE OF. I DECIDED IT WAS UNSAFE FOR HER TO DRIVE AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO BE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM--THE LEFT SIDE STEERING RACK BUSHINGS WERE COMPLETELY GONE. HE GAVE US A QUOTE FOR THE REPAIR (IT IS BEING DONE TODAY), AND THEN HE PULLED ME ASIDE TO LET ME KNOW HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD "GOODWILL IT" (HIS TERM) AS HE SAYS IT WAS HIS UNDERSTANDING THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AS ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED AND THAT A NEW STYLE BUSHING WAS AVAILABLE THAT DID NOT DETERIORATE LIKE THIS ONE AND WAS MUCH SAFER. CONTACTED THE DEALER IN AUBURN AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE SAID CAR IS TOO OLD (1996) SO WE ARE OUT OF LUCK AND QUOTED ME A REPAIR PRICE ALMOST DOUBLE THE LOCAL MECHANIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093685
NHTSA investigations
5DP04007 · Fuel Rail, Brake Fluid, Chassis
Opened Oct 13, 2004 · Closed Oct 27, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Structure:frame And Members
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
Structure:frame And Members
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.
EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
EA99031 · Steering System Rack And Pinion
Opened Oct 29, 1999 · Closed Sep 13, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE99044 · Steering System Rack And Pinion
Opened Jun 28, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
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, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.
RQ98018 · Fuel Injection Delivery System Fuel Leak
Opened Oct 7, 1998 · Closed Jul 8, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
No summary supplied.
Illustration