NHTSA Complaint #10058583 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

MY 2000 INTREPID HAS A STEERING PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK-UP INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT. DODGE SERVICE TOLD ME THE CAR NEEDS A STEERING RACK, ALONG WITH STABILIZER LINKS AND BUSHINGS COSTING $1,500. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ( AND I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANT) BUT IT AS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE # 12074847)AND SPOKE TO DAMON WHO SAID THAT HE COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. HE SEEMED TO BE FIXATED ON THE FACT THAT SEVERAL DAYS AFTER MY PURCHASE, I DROPPED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. IN MY MIND, THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT I HAVE NO EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, AND IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHEN I MADE THE DECISION NOT TO HAVE THIS COVERAGE. I DROPPED IT BECAUSE I WAS RELYING ON DODGE STANDING BEHIND A QUALITY PRODUCT AND THAT THE CAR WOULD LAST WITHOUT A MAJOR REPAIR FOR AT LEAST 50,000 MILES. I DID NOT PLAN ON KEEPING THE CAR MUCH LONGER THAN 5000-0 MILES. MON REFUSED TO CONSIDER PROVIDING ME WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS REPAIR. I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH 50% OF THE COST OF THE PARTS. STILL FRUSTRATED THAT A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 25K MILES SHOULD NEED THIS KIND OF SAFETY-COMPROMISING REPAIR, I CALLED THE NHTSA AND LEARNED THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING STEERING RACK PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR AND THAT THEY WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN INSPECTING STEERING RACK THAT FAILED PREMATURELY. SO I'VE ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO KEEP IT FOR ME. THEY DID NOT AND SAID THE CORE HAD TO RETURNED FOR REMANUFACTURING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT DODGE IS NOT WILLING TO DO THAT RIGHT THING AND ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK