1996 DODGE INTREPID Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND A PIECE OF METAL WENT THROUGH MY EYE CAUSING IMMEDIATE BLINDNESS AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THE LEFT EYE. THE PIECE OF METAL WAS PULL OUT IN THE ER. THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET IN DETROIT MI TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH. I'VE BEEN WEARING A PROSTHETIC EYE SINCE.

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AFTER PURCHASING CAR FROM AUCTION, WE TOOK FOR EMISSIONS TESTING IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A TAG. WE WERE TOLD THE TEST COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER HAD NOT FINISHED THE TESTS. WE WERE ADVISED HOW TO COMPLETE THE DRIVING REQUIREMENTS AND TO COME BACK AFTER THAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS THE TESTS STILL SHOWED INCOMPLETE. NOW SIX YEARS LATER THE ODBII STILL WILL NOT COMPLETE AND ACTUALLY RESTARTS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD AND A DEFECT THAT REQUIRES THE ECU TO BE FLASHED WITH UPDATED PROGRAM INFORMATION. THERE IS EVEN A TSB #181897 WHICH COVERED THIS. DEALERS ARE EITHER UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR WANT TO CHARGE CLOSE TO $100. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD DO THIS SERVICE AT NO CHARGE SINCE IT IS S DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE EXISTS. THERE ARE NO CODES BEING THROWN AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TAG THE CAR FOR MANY YEARS. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHICH AFFECTS THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATING/AC COMPONENT. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE WINDOWS & HEATER/AC STOPPED WORKING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAD A 1993 DODGE INTREPID WITH THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AT TIMES BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH ALLOWED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND HEATER/AC TO WORK UNTIL THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE DIFFERENCE IS I CANNOT GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN OFF AT ALL ON THE 1996 MODEL, THE DIFFERENCE BEING BETWEEN THE TWO MODELS IS THAT THE 93 HAD THE GEAR SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR CONSOLE; WHILE 96 IS ON THE COLUMN. THE FACT THAT THE 93 AND 96 BOTH HAVE THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT AFFECTING THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATER/AC IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT ONE THING SHOULD AFFECT THE OTHER, BUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT TO BE UNTRUE. IN MY OPINION THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH EITHER THE SENSORS OR SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR POSSIBLY THE WIRING WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF MANUFACTURING ISSUES. THIS DOES POSE AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND THE HEATER/AC WILL NOT COOL/HEAT THE CAR AND THE DEFROSTER CANNOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS OF CONDENSATION; WHICH CREATES OBSTRUCTED VIEW. THE NONWORKING HEATER/AC SEVERELY RESTRICTS THE TIMES YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR, UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RISK HEAT EXHAUSTION DURING SUMMER OR FROSTBITE DURING THE WINTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE MERGED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

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VEHICLE WAS GETTING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN TECHNICIANS NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE THE FUEL RAIL WAS DEEMED TO BE LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE/PART WAS LISTED (ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER) AS HAVING BEEN REPLACED IN 1999. *TR

ON 15MAR12 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED WHILE LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL, THE STEERING STILL FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. *TR

I HAVE OWNED A 1996 DODGE INTREPID FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS AWARE THAT THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE LOOSE, WHAT I DID NOT KNOW WAS THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AS WELL AS MOST OF THE TIE RODS AROUND THEM WERE COMPLETELY SHOT. MY STEERING WHEEL GRINDS WHEN I TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT NOW AND MY STEERING HAS A HORRIFIC DRIFT WHEN TURNING FROM EXTREME TO EXTREME. THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION (AS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC) ARE COMPLETELY GONE. THE BROKEN PIECES ARE RATTLING AND VIBRATING SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE SHIMMYING I FEEL ON MY CAR IS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY THE STEERING. WHEN I BRAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS (50MPH) THE STEERING PULLS TO EITHER AN EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE STRUGGLING WITH THESE SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE INTREPID IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. MY MECHANIC SAID TO ME THAT HE HAS NO GUARANTEE THAT MY STEERING WILL WORK RIGHT. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NOW I'M AFRAID I'LL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY GIRLFRIEND MIGHT FREQUENTLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT THE STEERING MAY GO OUT WHEN SHE IS DRIVING IT. I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. I PLAN TO SAVE THE PARTS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE IN HOPES THAT I WILL GET SOME COMPENSATION FOR THEM. *TR

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

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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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WAS MOVING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000, BUT WAS UNAWARE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 160,000.

RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS, THE BUSHINGS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION KEEP GOING BAD I'VE HAD THE BUSHINGS REPLACED (NOVEMBER 2007) BUT THEN IT FAILED AGAIN (SEPTEMBER 2008). WHEN EVER I GO AROUND A TURN THERE'S A DELAY IN MY SHEER ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. *TR

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

BOLTS HOLDING TIE RODS TO STEERING GEAR (RACK) BROKE. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST LEAVING MY PARKING LOT AND DIDN'T CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS AND/OR INJURIES. PAID $700 TO HAVE CAR FIXED. *TR

1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD TO HAVE ALOT OF FRONT END WORK DONE ON TIE ROD ENDS AND BUSHINGS WORN OUT THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKES FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND CAUSED A ACCIDENT WHOLE FRONT END TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHY IS IT THAT DODGE AUTO AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. *TR

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REPEATED OVERHEATING PROBLEMS RESULTED IN REPLACING MY RADIATOR TWO TIMES, THERMOSTAT THREE TIMES AND THERMOSTAT W/ BREATHER HOUSING TWO TIMES. COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES EXTERNAL METAL PIPES WHICH HELP CIRCULATE COOLANT TO HEATER. THE PIPES ARE HIDDEN FROM CLEAR VIEW AND WHEN MINE SPRUNG LEAKS DUE TO THEIR PLACEMENT THE LEAKS WERE DIAGNOSED AS BEING BLOWN HEAD/HEAD GASKET BY THREE SEPARATE SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF PIPES SOLVED OVERHEATING. MOISTURE GETS TRAPPED IN AND AROUND THE FRAME AND SUBFRAME AREAS WHERE THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE LOCATED AND ALLOWS FOR UNNECESSARY PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF ALL THE MOUNTS, BUSHINGS, MAIN FRAME AND SUBFRAME. THIS HIDDEN CONDITION HAS RESULTED IN ALL MOUNTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION DROPPING, FRONT INNER&OUTER TIE RODS AND BUSHINGS GOING OUT, RACK N PINION PROBLEMS AND THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSING. DOCUMENTED RECORDS SHOW THAT FROM 2004 THROUGH 2008 ON AVERAGE I DROVE 7000 MILES A YEAR. IN THAT 28000 MILES I REPLACED ALL MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, ALL 4 INNER&OUTER TIE ROD BUSHINGS/ENDS TWICE, RADIATOR TWICE, THERMOSTAT HOUSING TWICE, COOLANT PIPES ONCE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES. I AM REPLACING SUBFRAME, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND FRONT AXLE AGAIN. I CONTINUE FIXING THE CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT BUT I AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEERING, AXLE OR BRAKES GIVING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC. SO CONCERNED MY DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS IN CASE OF FATALITY RESULTING FROM THE DEFECTS MENTIONED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE REAR DEFOGGER. TEN MINUTES LATER, HE NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES APPEARED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 198,721.

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THE STEERING SYSTEM IN A 1996 DODGE INTREPID TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO ADVANCED WARNING OF ANY KIND. IT IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DID NOT WRECK. THE LEFT BOLT THAT SCREW INTO THE RACK/PIN STEERING BOX STRIPPED OUT AND CAUSED THE RIGHT BOLT TO SNAP CAUSING THE ENTIRE STEERING TO FAIL. *TR

MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID, WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR STRUCK AN ABRUPTLY STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE. EVEN WHILE WEARING MY SEATBELT, MY FOREHEAD STRUCK THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING INJURY, AND DIRECTLY AFTER THUS MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. IN DECEMBER OF 2006, THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR. HE INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT HE OFTEN SMELLED GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE O-RING IN THE INJECTORS WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FUMES AND THEY WERE REPLACED. IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE O-RING, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL INJECTION RAIL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED OF A RECALL THAT DESCRIBED THE SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAD THE RECALL REPAIRED, THEREFORE THE FAILURE COULD NO LONGER BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

THERE ARE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND FRONT COMPONENTS SUCH AS TIE RODS, BUSHING FAILURE- MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS, ETC. STEERING HASN'T BEEN RIGHT FOR YEARS. LOW MILEAGE, STRANGE NOISES, HANDLING. CAR DOESN'T STAY IN ALIGNMENT, WHEEL DOESN'T RETURN TO CENTER, CAR JUMPS OUT OF DRIVING LANE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AS OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,301.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE TIRES, SIZE 205/60R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BLOW OUT. THE FAILURES CAUSED THE FENDER TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE SPEED, VIN, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 236,000.

ON JUNE 1ST, 2007, I, SHARON S. HATCHER, WENT TO TUFFY AUTO SERVICE CENTER TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED. THEY PROCEEDED TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE WHEN THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER TO PASS ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC II [OBD II] LANGUAGE...MY VEHICLE WAS REJECTED BECAUSE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED! WELL, I DROVE THIS CAR ALL DAY YESTERDAY AND LAST NIGHT AND I TOOK IT TO 2 OTHER PLACES AND THE SAME THING SHOWED UP LIKE AT TUFFY AUTO SERVICE CENTER!! I TOOK IT TO STEVE WHITE MOTORS [CHRYSLER, DODGE, AND JEEP DEALERSHIP] AND THEIR SERVICEMAN SAID TO DRIVE IT AROUND FOR 20-30 MILES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 45-55MPH. WELL, I DID THAT AND I TOOK AT BACK TO TUFFY'S AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND THE SAME BULLENTIN POPPED UP AGAIN AS LIKE AT THE OTHER PLACES. SO THE COMPLAIT THAT I AM FILING IS ON A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. I HAVE BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED AND AT ALL 3 PLACES ITS SHOWING THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE FLASHED OR REPROGRAMMED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IS NOT WANTING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLENTIN [TSB] REFERENCE NUMBER AS ALONG WITH PAPERWORK FROM THESE PLACES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A NEW RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THAT HASN'T BEEN RESEARCHED OR LOOKED INTO ON ALL MAKES OF DODGE INTREPID'S DURING 1996. I AM NOT PAYING FOR A RECALL THAT HAS TO DO WITH. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER. ALL REPAIRS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED. OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS A SNOW BANK OR OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS AS WELL. THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR SYMPTOMS THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, WITHOUT REPAIR, BUT ARE LISTED IN RECALL INFORMATION. WE ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT HOW TO PURSUE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL PROVISIONS. *AK

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER. ALL REPAIRS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED. OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS A SNOW BANK OR OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS AS WELL. THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR SYMPTOMS THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, WITHOUT REPAIR, BUT ARE LISTED IN RECALL INFORMATION. WE ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT HOW TO PURSUE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL PROVISIONS. *AK

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MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID RECEIVED A CLEAN AIR WAIVER IN THE YEARS 2003 AND 2004. THE OBD COULD NOT BE READ BY THE EMISSIONS STATIONS. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE TRIED TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT RESOLUTION. THE CLEAN AIR FORCE SAYS THE SOFTWARE IS UPDATED AND SHOULD BE READABLE AND DODGE INSISTS IT'S THE CAF SOFTWARE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (18-005-01) FOR 1996 DODGE VEHICLES FAILING FOR READINESS. I KEEP FAILING FOR READINESS, AND THE DEALER NOR CLEAN AIR HAS FURTHER INFORMATION. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE A MASTER MECHANIC TRIES TO SOLVE MY SITUATION. THE LENGTH OF TIME TELLS ME A FAVORABLE REPLY MAY NOT BE FORTHCOMING. I WAS TOLD I CAN NOT SELL THE CAR, AS THE EMISSIONS ISSUE WILL ALWAYS BE MY (THE OWNERS) PROBLEM. I CAN NOT GET A TAG FOR THIS CAR AND THEREFORE LEGALLY CAN NOT DRIVE IT. WHAT CAN I DO? *JB

FUEL RAIL LEAKS IN MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID. I READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE BUT DO NOT KNOW IF MY VEHICLE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AS I PURCHASED IT IN 1999. *NM

PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER, WARPED, LOOSE, RATTLES, POSSIBLE UNINTENDED ENGAGEMENT. *NM

ON 11-23-06 I NOTICED A GAS LEAK IN MY WIFE'S, NOW EX-WIFE'S, 1996 DODGE INTREPID. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME OF A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, POMMERING DODGE. POMMERING MECHANICS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED AT NO COST UNDER A PRIOR RECALL RELATED TO BAD O-RINGS IN FUEL RAIL. HOWEVER, AFTER FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED, DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE O-RINGS IN THE FUEL INJECTOR WERE ALSO BAD. O-RINGS AND FUEL INJECTOR WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, TOTAL COST $295.32. I INQUIRED BUT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS APPARENT TO ME THAT IF THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE O-RINGS IN THE FUEL RAIL NECESSITATING A RECALL, THERE MAY VERY WELL BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID TO THE GOODYEAR AUTO SHOP 1/11/07 AND WAS TOLD THAT GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE O-RINGS AND THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE GOODYEAR AUTO CENTER RECOMMENDED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE END OF THE RAIL. THE CONTACT DID TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO ANDY LEWIS DODGE AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR THE HAIR LINE CRACK IN THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE DID HAVE THE O-RINGS REPLACED BACK IN 1999. THE CONTACT HAS ALL REPAIR ORDERS.

TL* - THE CONTACT A 1996 DODGE INTREPID WHICH HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS: HEADLIGHT MOUNTING BRACKET, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, AND HEADLIGHT LENS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE FAILURE CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WEREIN USE. SPEED AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER. *AK

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 98V184000 I OWN 1996 DODGE INTREPID. I AM AT LEAST THE 3RD OWNER OF THIS CAR. HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED? I RECENTLY HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT MY EXPENSE; OCTOBER 6, 2006. THIS AFTER SMELLING GAS FOR MONTHS. CAN I RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE CRACKING.

ON 3/16/06 THE ENGINE IN MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID CAUGHT ON FIRE OUT OF THE BLUE. THIS CAR ONLY HAD 60,000-70,000 MILES ON IT. AN INVESTIGATOR FOR CHRYSLER CORP. LOOKED AT THE CAR AND FILED A REPORT WITH CHRYSLER CORP. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1998 HAVING TO DO WITH FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTION RAIL OR O-RINGS WHICH I WAS NEVER AWARE OF. CHRYSLER DENIED MY CLAIM AND STATED THAT THEY HAD SENT ME A NOTICE IN FEB. 1999 AT MY CURRENT RESIDENCE, ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT EVEN CLOSE ON MY HOUSE UNTIL MAY 1999. I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE, AND THIS FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A FUEL LEAKAGE. WHEN I CALLED THE CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION DEPT. AND EXPLAINED THAT I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL ETC. I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE CHRYSLER MAKES A DECISION TO DENY A CLAIM THERE CAN NO REBUTTAL, AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT A LAWYER IF I WANTED TO GO ANY FURTHER IN RESOLVING THIS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WOULD COST A LOT TO GET A LAWYER SO I AM STUCK PAYING THE COSTS TO REPAIR THE ENGINE WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECT CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

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YES, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER A COMPLAINT ON THE 1996 DODGE INTREPID STEERING PROBLEMS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING , SOME EVEN LEADING TO DEATH. I HAVE NOT YET HAVE ANY FAILURES OF MY STEERING SYSTEM, BUT IT IS GOING BAD DAY BY DAY. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM (DEALER QUOTED OVER $400), AND IT IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. I FIND MYSELF PRAYING EVERY TIME I STEP INTO MY CASKET ON WHEELS THAT SOMETHING WRONG DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY GOVERNMENT RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE WITH MOST OTHER MODELS SO WHY SHOULD INTREPID OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN. PLEASE HELP ME OUT IN THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *AK

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

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

1. THE EVENT OCCURRED WHILE BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY 2. 1996 DODGE INTREPID, 3.5L, 196,000 MILES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT THAT IS A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF THE CAR'S SUBFRAME HAD METAL FATIGUED AND SEPARATED FROM THE SUBRFAME. THIS CAUSED THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO MOVE OUTWARD AND LODGE AGAINST THE FENDER. WHEN THE WHEEL MOVED OUTWARD, THE HALF-SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT DISENGAGING THE DRIVETRAIN FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. 3. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE SUBFRAME WAS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE, SO THE CAR IS GOING TO BE SCRAPED.*JB

1996 DODGE INTREPID W/3.5 ENGINE HEARD LOUD BANG,SMOKE AND OIL,KNOCKING NOISE. NO WARNING AT ALL, THE GAUGES WERE IN NORMAL RANGE, NO PRIOR TROUBLE WITH ENGINE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO GOODYEAR TIRE STORE & UPON INSPECTION FOUND TWO (2) HOLES IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE BLOCK NEAR FRONT OF ENGINE ABOUT THE SIZE OF SILVER DOLLAR,WE THINK ENGINE CONNECTING ROD FOR ONE CYLINDER FAILED AND BROKE AT BOTTOM NEAR CRANKSHAFT AND PUNCHED BOTH HOLES IN BLOCK. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V021000/CHRYSLER RECALL C45 ON 1996 DODGE INTREPID CONCERNING FLOOR SHIFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE, AND THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONSUMER WHEN THEY CAME IN. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED 3 NOTICES FROM CHRYSLER ON THIS RECALL DURING THIS TIME. THE OWNER SAID THAT HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF THE PARTS WERE THERE. IT HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE FIRST NOTICE IN MARCH 2005. AND AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CONSUMER WAS STUCK WAITING ON THE PARTS.*AK