1997 Dodge INTREPID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
256 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 256 complaints (13.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 47 | 18.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 8.2% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 35 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 22 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 18 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 35; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 22; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 18; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Air Bags:Frontal: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 9
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 178 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 45 |
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2003 | 35 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2000: 45; 2001: 50; 2002: 46; 2003: 35; 2004: 39; 2005: 17; 2006: 6; 2007: 7; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 21 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014594 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019465 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE HAD COME FROM THE REAR HOOD AREA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE #5 FUEL INJECTOR/WIRING HARNESS/FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST BRAKING POWER AND REVVED DURING THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WHERE THE ROCKER ARM COVER WAS REPLACED, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOISY, LEAKED, AND WAS REPLACED, AND THE BLEEDER SCREW WAS BROKEN AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS REPLACED. *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 61,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020212 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048837 · 2003-11-29 (November 29, 2003)
MY 1997 DODGE INTREPID TRANSMISSION HAS GONE 3 TIMES SINCE I'VE OWNED IT I PURCHASED IT IN EARLY 1999 WITH 48000 MILES THE 1ST TIME THE SHIFTERWOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN TO PARK AND AT 62000 MILES IT WENT AND ALL I HAD WAS REVERSE. I HAD A WARRANTY THROUGH THE CAR DEALER WITH A 250.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THEY REBULIT TRANSMISSION AND AT 84000 THE SAMETHING HAPPEN 13MOS. LATER AND OF COARSE NO WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY FULL SHOT THIS TIME AT THE SUM OF $ 1,300.00. NOW IT SEEMS THAT IT IS STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN .WHAT TO DO? OTHER THAN THIS THIS HAS BEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033566 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES REAR BRAKES ARE LEAKING FLUID. DEALER STATED, CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009489 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL DONE REGARDING A FUEL LEAK 2 YEARS AGO, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY BE FIXED ONE TIME, RECALL #98V184000.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033001 · 2003-08-17 (August 17, 2003)
PURCHASED CAR IN SEPT.2002 RAN GREAT TILL JUNE 2003. CAR SHUTS OF WHEN DRIVING. I WILL BE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY 55MPH AND CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF NO WARNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTHING. IT HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES TO 3 DIFFERENT GARAGES. NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY, ALTINATER, 2 SENSORS SOFAR. NO CODES ARE SENT TO COMPUTER WHEN CAR ACTS UP. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 97,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050044 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD RECALL REPAIR... RECALL NO. #98V189000 FUEL SYSTEM GAS LINE: THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE GROUND AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT NOW THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 8 TIMES SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050277 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050277 at NHTSA ↗