2004 DODGE INTREPID Steering Problems

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...

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2009. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS. AT FIRST THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE CONTROL ARM- COMPLETELY LOOSE AND ALMOST DISCONNECTED. IT HADN'T BEEN LIKE THAT WHEN I MADE THIS WASTE OF A PURCHASE. OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS (12/2/2011), THE PROBLEMS HAVE PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE (AND MORE EXPENSIVE). THE LOUD BANG IS BACK, ADDING TO IT A LACK OF FULL CONTROL OF STEERING. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD (ENTIRE SYSTEM) AND THE RACK AND PINION. I UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WAS DISCONTINUED, JUST NOT WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL. *TR

AFTER PURCHASING THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID, MY GRAND DAUGHTER NOTICED THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE "PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT TO THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH A DODGE INTREPID FROM 1997 THOUGH 2004. *TR

STEERING FAILURE ON MY 2004 DODGE INTREPID. STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT REAL LOOSE AND CAR DRIFTS AND WON'T TURN AS IT SHOULD. NO DAMAGE TO THE STEERING MECHANISM OR SUSPENSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD FLOAT AND MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

MY 2004 INTREPID WILL NOT STEER WITHOUT PUTTING ALL MY STRENGTH INTO TURNING IT. THE STEERING PUMP IS WORKING AND I STILL CAN NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT A LOT OF RESISTANCE. I HAVE SEEN THAT A LOT OF OTHERS CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM UE TO A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. *TR