Model year record

1998 Dodge Intrepid recalls & problems

The 1998 Dodge Intrepid has 5 safety recalls and 377 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (206 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints377filed by owners

Crashes · fires30 · 12reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths25 · 5reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

SeatsFeb 5, 2003

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 03V0350001,066,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Risk: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Air bagsMar 9, 1998

Frontal

Recall 98V04900054 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING SOME REQUIRED COMPONENTS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE IN THESE VEHICLES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Intrepid

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Intrepid

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	206	1	4	0	87,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	44	2	0	3	83,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	38	5	0	2	78,500 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Starter assembly	34	1	5	3	100,943 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Steering wheel/handle bar	31	3	0	1	101,874 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	30	0	0	0	79,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	22	16	0	15	67,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	14	6	0	1	92,000 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	13	0	0	0	73,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Front	10	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	9	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch	8	0	0	0	107,221 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Jan 12, 2013 · 156,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Mar 19, 2012 · 94,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
ENGINE FAILURE CLICKING NOISE POSSIBLE VALVE TRAIN. CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT NO PROPERLY LUBRICATING ENGINE PARTS. *TR
Sep 3, 2011
Engine and engine coolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE MOTOR FAILED DUE TO THE ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL MIXING TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Nov 14, 2010
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED GASOLINE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTED TO THE FUEL RAIL. THERE WAS ALSO AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,985.
Aug 1, 2010 · 76,945 miles
Engine and engine cooling
IN 2007 I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 L ENGINE....NONETHELESS THE ENGINE BLEW. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. IT GAVE NO WARNING THAT THERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF ENGINE TROUBLE. I PAID $6995 FOR THE CAR, IT HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT.....2YRS LATER AT 87,000 IT DIED....LEAVING ME TO PAY THE REST OF THE LOAN OF $2200 ON A CAR THAT JUST SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY!!! *TR
Apr 2, 2009 · 87,000 miles
Steering
POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ,NO POWER STEERING LEAKS BELTS OK AND NO NOISE UNDER HOOD. *TR
Jan 18, 2009 · 280,000 miles
Steering
SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEEL LOCKS WHEN TURNED COMPLETELY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. WANDERS ON DRY PAVEMENT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN WET WEATHER. HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE STEERING RACK AND INNER TIE RODS. *TR
Dec 8, 2008 · 122,544 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILUREClosed
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE03010 · opened Feb 27, 2003 · closed Sep 2, 2003