Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 785 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

35 crash reports22 fire reports23 injury reports

Steering complaints

80 reports

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73,000 miles · Apr 18, 2003

Steering

MY DODGE INTREPID HAS 73000 HIGHWAY MILES. I AM HAVING SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT WILL REQUIRE ME TO REPLACE MY RACK AND PINION STEERING TO CORRECT. THE COST OF THIS REPLACEMENT WILL BE $1500.00. I FEEL THE RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY FAILURE SUBJECT TO RECALL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016188

38,000 miles · Apr 4, 2003

Steering

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STEERING RACK PROBLEMS IN A 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH LESS 40,000 MILES. READ ON WEBSITES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL. WHY NOT A RECALL? ACCIDENT POTENTIAL AS WELL AS SOME REPORTED. COSTLY REPLACEMENT FOR CONSUMER. THIS HAS TURNED ME OFF TO CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AND I AM VERY UPSET. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH TWO KIDS AND CAN'T AFFORD COSTLY REPAIR BILLS. THIS IS OBVIOUS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE TO HELP US CONSUMERS? WE NEED SAFE, RELIABLE VEHICLES TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR FAMILIES. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE?! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013970

42,000 miles · Mar 14, 2003

SteeringCrashInjury

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE VEERED RIGHT AND WOULD NOT RESPOND. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010456

52,000 miles · Feb 6, 2003

Steering

VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAS TO BE REPLACED. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006712

51,800 miles · Jan 28, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringUnknown Or Other

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DEDEMBER 2002 STARTED CAR AND ENGINE MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE HAD WENT OUT. THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE ENGINE THAT COST ME $1350.00. I HAD BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE. WHEN I TYRNED THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT WOULD STICK AND I HAD LOUD POPPING FROM THE STEERING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION. THAT WAS ON JANUARY 21, 2003. IN THE SAME WEEK I NOTICED OIL LEAKING. THE OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE OIL SWITCH. TO FIX THE RACK AND OIL LEAK IT COST ME ANOTHER $1300.00. I AM TRYING TO GET THE DODGE COMPANY TO FESS UP AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTANENCED AND ONLY 51,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10003589

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2002

SteeringUnknown Or Other

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I HAVE ONLY MADE 4 PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR, AND I AM SCHEDULED FOR MY 7TH REPAIR ATTEMPT ON 12/3/02. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD 2 STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENTS, 1 RACK & PINION REPLACEMENT, A COMPLETE STEERING FLUID CHANGE WITH FLUID SUPPOSEDLY SPECIFIED BY DODGE, 1 APPOINTMENT THAT ENDED UP BEING A TEST DRIVE ONLY-WAS ADVISED TO TAKE CAR HOME PENDING RESPONSE FROM DODGE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH REPAIRS..(WAS TOLD RESPONSE "DIDNT REALLY PERTAIN TO MY CAR.."), 1 VENT WIRE AND OIL SENDER UNIT REPLACED, AND IN AUGUST 02, I HAD A 1 MONTH AUTO CHECK UP. THESE REPAIRS, WHILE NOT ALL IN SEQUENCE, TOOK PLACE BETWEEN 9/17/02-11/20/02.MY STEERING PROBLEM RETURNED IN FULL FORCE 11/25/02. THE STEERING IS LOUD AND DOES NOT QUIET WHEN DRIVING. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR, IN MY OPINION, IS VERY DANGEROUS! OF LATE, DODGE IS COVERING IT'S INABILITY TO REPAIR THIS CAR WITH ARROGANCE, AND I'M FRIGHTENED ENOUGH OF THIS CAR THAT I INTEND TO START A LEMON LAW ARBITRATION. AS YOU MAY NOTICE, I WAS UNABLE TO ANSWER SOME OF THE MECHANICAL QUESTIONS ON THIS FORM, SO I LEFT THEM AS THEY WERE. DT

NHTSA ODI #770229

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2002

Steering

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND RACK AND PINION . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . TS

NHTSA ODI #8021228

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2002

Steering

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT CAUSING LOST OF STEERING. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021138

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2002

SteeringUnknown Or Other

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I PURCHASED MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES IN NOV. 2001. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED MY INPUT/OUT TRANSMISSION SENSORS, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I MUST NOW REPLACE MY RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY DUE TO STEERING PROBLEMS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PREMATURE FAILURE IS VERY COMMON AND AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH DODGE INTREPIDS. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUTABLE AND FORCED TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES HAVING THESE AND OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL COST LIVES IF NOT ADDRESS BY NHTSA. MR

NHTSA ODI #768520

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002

Steering

RACK AND PINION FAILED WITH STEERING GETTING STUCK. DRIVER DESCRIBES THAT THERE IS EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY AND BINDING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018529

Official recalls

03V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Feb 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V273000 · Structure:frame And Members

Aug 2, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

00V180000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Jul 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: NON-ABS EQUIPPED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON RETAINER SNAP RING MAY HAVE BEEN BENT INWARD DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON MAY BE IN A "BRAKE APPLIED" POSITION DUE TO THE DAMAGED PISTON RETAINER SNAP RING. WHEN THE PISTON IS IN THE APPLIED POSITION, THE FLUID COMPENSATION PORTS ARE CLOSED WHICH RESULTS IN A BRAKE DRAG CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRAKE OVERHEAT, BRAKE FADING COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN NEEDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SHOULD A DRIVER NOT ANTICIPATE THE EXTRA STOPPING DISTANCE, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

00V033000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Feb 4, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MOLDING FLASH ON THE PRIMARY LEVER MAY PREVENT THE OPERATION OF THE G-LOCK AND TILT LOCK FUNCTIONS ON SOME OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTORS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS IN A FRONTAL CRASH SITUATION, DRIVER PROTECTION FROM THE SEAT BELT MAY BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.

00V034000 · Seat Belts

Feb 4, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

99V343000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 2, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN INCORRECT INFLATOR CHARGE AMOUNT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A PASSENGER OCCUPANT INJURY UNDER CERTAIN ACCIDENT CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE WITH A CORRECT MODULE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure

Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages