1996 Dodge Intrepid

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DULL, MAKING VISIBILITY IMPOSSIBLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS SCC

• 12/31/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WE HAVE CONTACTED LOCAL CHRYSLER, WHO REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE... WE TOLD THEM IT WAS LEAKING FUEL. WE CONTACTED NATIONAL CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE NOT OPEN TODAY. WE THEN CONTACED NHTSA AND THEY SAID WAIT. I WANT THIS ON RECORD IN CASE OF FAILURE SINCE CHYSLER WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM ON ANY LEVEL RIGHT NOW

• 12/30/1999· STEERING

  RUBBER BUSHINGS IN STEERING RACK AND PINION GEAR DETERIORATED PREMATURELY CAUSING SLOPPY STEERING.

• 12/30/1998· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE OPENING UP THE TRUNK THE LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO HIT THE CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. *AK

• 12/30/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  LOW/HIGH BEAMS TOO DIM.

• 12/29/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE AND IN THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSES THE GAS TO LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR WHICH SPILLED OUT ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL. *SLC

• 12/28/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V184000 FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE RECALL INDICATED THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS, AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET ON PASSENGER'S SIDE FUEL RAIL. ALSO, IT INDICATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE SHOWED SIGNS OF FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE RECALL LEAD THE CONTACT TO BELIEVE THAT THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL, THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS WOULD BE REPLACED AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY IF NECESSARY. SHE WAS INFORMED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THIS WAS NOT TRUE. THE RECALL REMEDY WAS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES. ADDITIONALLY, THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS WERE REPLACED. *AK THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

• 12/28/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  DRIVER HIT A TREE HEAD-ON IN WET CONDITIONS AT 30MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S NOR PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED PROPERLY. AIRBAGS JUST OOZED OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AIRBAGS DID NOT HAVE AIR IN THEM. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/27/2004· POWER TRAIN

  SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE MINI VAN IT HAD TO BE SERVICED, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE 24 MONTHS/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE FOR $1495. 2ND VISIT ON 9/24/01 TRANS SLIPPING IN 3RD GEAR. PER MECHANIC THE SNAP RING SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON 8/26/02. IT NEEDED A REBUILT & RECONDITIONED 6710 TRANSMISSION & REBUILT/RECONDITIONED TORQUE CONVERTER ALSO A FILTER TOTALING $1588.99. ON 2/26/03 RETURNED BACK TO THE SHOP FOR A BLEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL & PASSENGER SIDE AXLE TOTALING $609.50. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME WARRANTY THAT I HAVE ON THE VAN BECAUSE THE VAN GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW AND I CAUSED IT TO BLOW, WHICH IS RIDICULES. NOW THE SHOP THAT I GOT THE WORK DONE AT IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND NOW AT A NEW LOCATION UNDER A NEW NAME WITH THE SAME PERSON THERE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY LIFETIME WARRANTY WOULDN'T BE COVERED AT THE NEW LOCATION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE WORK WHERE I RECEIVED THE LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MOJE, INC. GOODEAL MOTORS & TRANSMISSIONS LOCATED AT 1730 MACDADE BLVD., FOLSOM, PA 19033; (610) 583-1101. THE NEW NAME IS MOTORS & TRANSMISSIONS. LOCATION IS AT 2500 WASHINGTON AVE., PHILA. PA 16146; (610) 583-1101. *AK

• 12/26/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WHEN IT IS ON THE HEATER WINDOWS HORN AND REAR BACK UP LIGHTS AND REAR DEFROSTER DO NOT WORK WITH NO HEATER/DEFROSTER IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE ICE OFF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS EVEN WHILE HAVING THE PASSENGER CONSTANTLY TRYING TO SCRAPE OFF THE ICE IT JUST INSTANTLY RE FREEZES CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO THIS THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DEEP DITCH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH WITH A HOIST AND A LIFT AND BACK TO THE ROAD BY A COMMERCIAL WRECKER FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION THIS PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE CLOCK STOP THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH PROMPTED A RECALL ON DODGE AND CHRYSLER MINI VANS OF THE SAME YEAR WHY WASN'T THIS CAR RECALLED TOO? I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BY OTHER DODGE INTREPID OWNERS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ALSO THE FACT THE WINDOWS DON'T WORK CAN CAUSE ENTRAPMENT IN THE VEHICLE

• 12/26/2000· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  RACK & PINION: WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED BACK AND FORTH A LOUD METALLIC NOISE IS HEARD. DEALER SAYS THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. MANY TSBS ON YOU SITE. TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) WHEN IT SHIFTS GEARS THERE IS A SHUTTER. AGAIN MANY TSBS ON YOUR SITE. I SPOKE TO THE REPS AT DIAMLER , THEY WILL RECORD MY COMPLAIT. MEANWHILE DEALER SAID APPROX. $4000 TO REPAIR ALL.*AK

• 12/22/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  STRONG FUEL SMELL /O-RINGS REPLACED/ONLY VERY SLIGHT FUEL CLOSE TO ENGINE CAN SEE GAS DAMPEN FUEL RAIL

• 12/20/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENTCrash

  MY SON DIED IN DEC 12,2002 IN A 1996 DODGE STEALTH TWO DAYS AFTER HE DIED I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. CAR LOST CONTROL ON FREEWAY AND WENT OFF ROAD AND ROLLED. HE JUST PUT A TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CLUTCH, AND PUT IN NEW ENGINE THROUGH TRACY DODGE IN TRACY, CA. *TR

• 12/20/1999· STEERING

  THERE IS A BOLT LOOSE IN THE STEERING GEAR, CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR. ALSO CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/19/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE ONE CAN SMELL GAS. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO SMELL THE GAS. *AK

• 12/17/1999· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE INNER TIE RODS BREAKING. DEALER REPLACED THE TIE RODS/STUTS/ SWAY BAR, AND DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. *YC

• 12/17/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL LINE RAILS ARE CAUSING GAS TO LEAK ON THE MANIFOLD, MAKING THE FUMES FROM THE GAS VERY STRONG INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/16/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  1996 DODGE INTREPID I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS IS AND GOT IT HOME AFTER THE SAME NIGHT I FOUND OUT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK, WHICH IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I GOT THE CAR FROM THE LOOKED AT IT BUT WOULD NOT FIX IT CAUSE THEY CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T WORK, I EVEN ASKED IF THEY HAD TO INSPECT THE CAR BEFORE SELLING IT, YES THEY DID BUT NEVER FIXED THE HEADLIGHTS... I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED ASAP. *NM

• 12/16/1999· STEERING

  WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED PLAY IN THE FRONT END DUE TO THE TIE ROD WHICH WENT BAD. ALSO NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL RACK AND PINION EA99-031. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/15/2008· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  IT STARTED OUT MY STEERING WOULD GET REALLY TIGHT AND YOU COULDN'T MOVE IT AT ALL AND IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY NOW WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACK-N-PINION AND SO THEY FIXED IT AND ITS STILL DOING IT. *TR

• 12/15/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I TOOK MY 1996 DODGE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL #790 ON 03/29/99 AND I CAN PROVE THAT THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE O-RINGS OR REINFORCE THE FUEL RAIL. THE CAR STARTED LEAKING FUEL AND I AM LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT BURN UP. I FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK AND SEE IF THIS 1 DEALERS FRAUD OR IF IT IS NATIONWIDE.*AK

• 12/15/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  STRONG FUEL ODOR FROM UNDER HOOD

• 12/15/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CONSUMER HAD BEEN SMELLING FUEL INSIDE OF VEHICLE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS UNTIL TODAY. HE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHOP SERVICE WHERE THEY TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL RAIL THAT IS LEAKING. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/13/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  RECALL 98V184 000/FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM LEAKAGE: RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECAL 790 NOTICE CONCERNING DEALER'S CORRECTIVE ACTION THAT STATED THE FOLLOWING: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NITRILE RUBBER O-RINGS IN THE FUEL RAIL WITH FLUOROCARBON O-RINGS. IF FUEL INJECTIOR O-RINGS LEAK AFTER PRESSURE TESTING, INJECTOR O-RINGS WILL BE REPLACED AS WELL. BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE ONLY RESPONIBLE TO REPLACE O-RINGS, AND INJECTOR WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. DEALER'S SERVICE MANGER NAME IS JOHN NARO AT FORTHTEEN HUNDRED MOTORS IN NASHUA, NH; PHONE # 603/888-0200. MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IS DEANNA FURNARI. *AK BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS. *YH

• 12/12/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  RECALL 98V184000. FUEL STARTED TO LEAK FROM FUEL RAIL O-RINGS. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2000. *AK

• 12/10/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE GEAR KICKED OUT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS OF TRANSMISSION 2 MONTHS AGO, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 12/10/2000· STEERING

  THE RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION POWER STEERING TO THE FRAME HAVE WORN OUT AND THIS MAKES THE STEERING OF THE CAR EXTREMELY LOOSE, (EXCESSIVE PLAY). I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COSTS BETWEEN $800.00 AND $1000.00. *AK

• 12/10/1999· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER'S AIRBAG COVER WARPS FROM HEAT. POSSIBILITY OF BEING DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

• 12/10/1999· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 12/10/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE CLEARLY AT NIGHT. *AK

• 12/10/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL INJECTION RAIL CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

• 12/09/2003· STEERING

  IN APIRL 1996 I PURCHASED A NEW 1996 DODGE INTREPID (VIN 2B3HD56F3TH52925) FROM PHILIPS MOTORS IN PHILIP SD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE AND CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM A "COLD SOAK" CONDITION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP, THE NOISE WOULD CEASE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 5 YEARS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FIVE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ONLY WHEN I MOVED TO GERMANY (CURRENT ASSIGNMENT IN THE USAF) DID A GERMAN MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM; WORN RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR BUSHING WHICH ARE ALLOWING THE ENTIRE UNIT TO SHIFT LEFT AND RIGHT WHENEVER THE STEERINGWHEEL IS MOVED. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS I'VE LIVED WITH THIS PROBLEM, I'VE NOTICED A CONTINUED DEGREDATION IS STEERING CRISPNESS AND INCREASE NOISE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. ONLY WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET DID I FIND 2 SERVICE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM (19-03-97A AND 19-001-01). THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD, ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR IN A SHARP TURN ON A COUNTRY ROAD HERE IN GERMANY. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE TURN (WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FRONT TIRE HITTING THE CURB AND BOUNCING ME BACK INTO THE LANE) -- NO ONE WAS HURT AND THE CAR (EXCEPT THE TIRE) WAS UNDAMAGED. I FIND IT AMAZING THAT PUBLISHED SERVICE BULLETINS GO UN-NOTICED AND HIGH RISK COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEERING SYSTEMS GO UN-RECALLED DESPITE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. MY PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS FURTHER EXASPERATED BY THE HIGH SPEED NATURE OF GERMAN AUTOBAHNS.*AK

• 12/09/1998· SEAT BELTS

  REAR RIGHT PASSENGER LAP AND SHOULDER BELT IS JAMMED WITHIN THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE ,CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/08/1998· SEATS

  THE DRIVER SEAT BACK IS BREAKING APART WHERE THE SPRINGS ARE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SEAT UPHOLSTERY, AND SEATBACK IS MOVING BACKWARD. IT MAY BREAK UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/07/1999· SUSPENSION

  WHILE STARTING VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS COLD VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER STATED BUSHING WERE GONE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

• 12/06/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED A RAW GAS SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE . DEALER STATED FUEL RAIL AND INJECTIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/05/2002· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  FIRST TO GO WAS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS, THEN THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. NEXT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THE DIFFENTAIL AND TIE RODS. DT

• 12/04/2009· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. IMMEDIATELY, THE DRIVER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO BROKEN BOLTS WHICH SUPPORTED THE TIE ROD BUSHING, AND THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

• 12/04/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED (USED) IN 3/99, THE REAR DEFROSTER DIDN'T WORK. THE CAR WAS SENT TO CHARLIE THOMAS CHRYSLER FOR REPAIR AND THE FUSEABLE LINK WAS REPAIRED (6/99). ON 10/25/00 THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS ON AND SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF THE INTERIOR VENTS. I STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CLEARLAKE DODGE FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED WIRE HARNESS DAMAGE LEADING UP TO THE FUSEABLE LINK AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE MAIN WIRE HARNESS DUE TO MELTING AND SHORTING IN THE MAIN HARNESS. THE REAR DEFROSTER CIRCUIT WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SHORTED INTO A METAL CLIP AND IT IS PRESUMED THAT THIS CAUSED THE OVERLOAD. THE OVERLOAD CAUSED MELTING AND SCORCHING IN THE REAR DEFROST CIRCUIT AND THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS. THE FUSEABLE LINK FAILED TO PROTECT THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS. THE FAILURE OF THE FUSEABLE LINK CAUSED A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE LED TO A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT (IF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST).

• 12/03/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENLY WILL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED, GREATLY INCREASING VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURRING SINCE 1997. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO THOROUGHLY DUPLICATE OR REMEDY PROBLEM. TS

• 12/03/2002· STEERING

  CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL WAS WANDERING EXCESSIVELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPLETE CONTROL. PROBLEM WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE UNTIL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. TS

• 12/01/2004· STEERING,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 12/01/2000· STEERING

  IN COLD WEATHER (UNDER 40 F) AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS THE STEERING MAKES LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN WHEELS ARE TURNED FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES AFTER STARTUP. CAUSE: RACK & PINION BUSHINGS DRY OUT. ULTIMATE RISK: STEERING WILL LOOSEN OVER TIME. CURE: ON 1996 MODEL ONLY, BUSHINGS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. ENTIRE RACK MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. POOR DESIGN MEANS 1) POTENTIAL FOR STEERING FAILURE 2) WARM-WEATHER DRIVERS WON'T HAVE ANY WARNING 3) PRICE DISCOURAGES REPAIR. THIS COULD TURN INTO A PROBLEM AS THESE CARS AGE. *AK

• 11/30/1999· STEERING

  EA99031, IN COLD CLIMATE, 35 DEGREES OR BELOW, OR WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE VEHICLE IS "COLD", STEERING RACK AND PINION MAKES A NOISE AND FEELS "SLOW" WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CRASH. THIS CLUNKING NOISE IS HEARD FOR TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES OR UNTIL VEHICLE IS WARM. *AK

• 11/30/1999· STEERING

  EA99031, WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE AND SEEMINGLY "TOO MUCH PLAY" IN STEERING WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED THE INNER TIE RODS AND RACK AND PINION STEERING DUE TO A WORN OUT BUSHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 11/29/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THERE'S FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL. THIS LEAK IS CONTINOUS WHETHER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR NOT. THE CAR FUEL CONSUPTION HAS GONE BAD. I AM BUYING GAS LIKE CRAZY. DT

• 11/29/2000· STEERING

  THIS IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO ODI NO. 736871 - FURTHER EXAMINATION OF PARTS INDICATES THAT NEITHER SET OF BOLT RETAINING TABS HAD BEEN SET AT THE FACTORY- ALLOWING BOTH TIE ROD BOLTS TO BACK OUT ALMOST HALF WAY - ONE SET OF TABS HAD BEEN SET TO STOP FURTHER TURNING BY SOMEONE, PROBABLY DURING SERVICING - THE OTHER BOLT CONTINUED TO BACK OUT A COUPLE OF TURNS - SOMETIME DURING ALL OF THIS, BOTH BOLTS BROKE THRU PAST THE HALFWAY POINT AND BOTH BROKE THE REST OF THE WAY ON 11/13.2000 - DISABLING THE STEERING. *AK

• 11/27/1996· SEAT BELTS

  THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THEY WERE NOT BOLTED IN PLACE AND DISCONNECTED. *AK

• 11/26/2000· STEERING

  INNER TIE RODS BOTH FAILED DURING A BACKING OPERATION - BACKING OUT OF PARKING AREA - BOTH BOLTS APPARENTLY SHEARED AFTER PARTIALLY BACKING OUT - IT LOOKS AS IF THE KEEPER PLATE WAS CRIMPED ON AN EDGE OF THE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE FLAT- STEERING WAS LOST ENTIRELY. *AK

• 11/26/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,STRUCTURE

  RACK & PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE & SAME SYMPTOMS ARE OCCURING AGAIN. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES & STRUTS SOONER THEN NORMAL. BRAKES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE ROTORS WERE BAD & BRAKE PADS WERE WARPED. REAR WINDOW GLASS WAS REMOVED & A NEW SECTION BETWEEN THE REAR DOOR & BACK GLASS WAS REPLACE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SAME CONDITION EXISTS AGAIN. THE BACK DOOR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN DUE TO MISALAIGNMENT. DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY SERVICE AFTER ORIGINAL WARRANTY. CHRYSLER CORP. AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION, WATER PUMP, & REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AT 45450 MILES. DUE TO DEFECTS, MAINLY IN THE STEERING, I CONTINUE TO PAY A MECHANIC TO ASSESS THE SAFETY OF OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE.