Dodge INTREPID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5,127 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 2,848 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,447 of 5,127 complaints (28.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 572 | 11.2% |
| Engine operation | 569 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 441 | 8.6% |
| Braking behavior | 373 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 137 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 87 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1447 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 815 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 375 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 221 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 186 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 122 |
| Steering | 121 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 112 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1,447; Engine And Engine Cooling: 815; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 375; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 221; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 186; Air Bags:Frontal: 122; Steering: 121; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 112
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 139 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 303 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 794 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 900 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 590 |
| 150,000 and above | 122 |
Under 25,000: 139; 25,000 to 49,999: 303; 50,000 to 74,999: 794; 75,000 to 99,999: 900; 100,000 to 149,999: 590; 150,000 and above: 122
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (900). 2,279 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 163 |
| 1996 | 102 |
| 2000 | 518 |
| 2001 | 339 |
| 2002 | 377 |
| 2003 | 626 |
| 2004 | 865 |
| 2005 | 693 |
| 2006 | 499 |
| 2007 | 324 |
| 2008 | 268 |
| 2009 | 129 |
| 2010 | 72 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1995: 163; 1996: 102; 2000: 518; 2001: 339; 2002: 377; 2003: 626; 2004: 865; 2005: 693; 2006: 499; 2007: 324; 2008: 268; 2009: 129; 2010: 72; 2011: 37; 2012: 30; 2013: 10; 2014: 26; 2015: 16; 2016: 9; 2017: 5; 2018: 6; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 572 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 569 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 441 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 10167837 · 2006-09-11 (September 11, 2006)
ENGINE FAILURE OF 1998 DODGE 2.7 LITER INTREPID. OIL SLUDGE ENGINE SEIZURE $5K TO REPAIR COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND POWER STEERING/ BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO FIGHT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010774 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 1993 DODGE INTREPID FROM A USED CAR LOT. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED SMOKING WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL. THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN TO STICK I HAVE TO PULL UP ON THE PEDAL TO GET THEM TO GO OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE. NOW THE CAR SITS AT A REPAIR SHOP NEEDING A TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE DRIVE AND REVERSE GEARS FAILED LEAVING ME WITH A BILL OF 800-2000 TO REPAIR IT. I BELIEVE IF THE MANUFACTURERS WOULD'VE DONE THEIR JOB RIGHT IN THE BEGINNING ALOT MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE PROUD TO OWN A DODGE! *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042274 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH FORCED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028523 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED.THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND SHUDDERS I FEEL THE DODGE CORP SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ULTRADRIVE TRANSMISSION AS IT IS A {LEMON} .*AK I NOW NEED TO PURCHASE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ARE NOW EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE EXTERIOR PAINT CORODING, THE CONSTANT SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG IS BUCKLING, AND THE LIST GOES ON!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968050 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERATIVE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483516 · 1995-08-13 (August 13, 1995)
TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER LOSS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557522 · 2000-10-22 (October 22, 2000)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS CHECKING THE OIL HE ACCIDENTALLY STUCK THE DIP STICK NOT IN THE TUBE BUT ALONG SIDE WHERE THERE IS A GAP OPENING AND CONTACTED AN ELECTRICAL LINE WHICH CAUSED A SPARK, THIS MAYBE A DESIGN PROBLEM WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128081 · 2005-01-21 (January 21, 2005)
LETTER REGARDING FUEL RAIL RECALL. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITHTHE VEHICLE AFTER THE FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND ALSO FOUND A LEAK IN THE INJECTOR O-RINGS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551929 · 2000-04-18 (April 18, 2000)
FUEL LEAKS OUT OF FUEL TANK DUE TO FUEL LINE FAILURE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551929 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 5; 1994: 4; 1995: 3; 1996: 2; 1997: 2; 1998: 3; 1999: 4; 2000: 7; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 0; 2004: 0