1998 Dodge Intrepid service brakes, hydraulic problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY HAD BEEN BACK ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.”

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AROUND THE MUFFLER CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PRIOR TO THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID AS AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.”

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND IT WENT COMPLETELY FLOOR. THE BRAKE RETURNED BY A SPRING, BUT THERE WAS ONLY AROUND 2% OF BRAKING POWER. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO MOVE FROM THE DRIVE POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE LEVER INDICATED AN AUTO STICK POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SLOWED TO A STOP ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SLOWLY TO A BRAKE REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED AND RUPTURED. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED IN A SALT BELT STATE AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CORROSION ISSUES, SUCH AS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE ROTORS. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB”

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PUMP FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THIS CAUSED WATER TO GET INTO THE ENGINE, THEREFORE, THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE BRAKES WARPED CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC FOR THIS AND NEITHER PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED.”

“CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING, DIDNT HAPPEN IMMEDIALELY, CAR HAD TO BE "WARM". STEERING WHEEL UNCONTROLLABLE. BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WHEN REMOVED IT WAS FILLED WITH WATER. NOW ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED FROM WEAR. NEW BRAKE BOOSTERS WERE NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM DEALER.*AK”

“NO BRAKES IN COLD WEATHER! BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER NOT WORKING IN COLD WEATHER. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND VACUUM BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS FULL OF WATER AND FROZEN. *JB”