Page 2 of 8 · complaints 51–100 of 377

1998 Dodge Intrepid complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 9, 2006100,000 milesIL

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2006101,000 milesWA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING TRAVELING 25MPH COMING UPON A STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED, NO REPAIRS MADE

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 2, 2006130,000 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTED OVER HEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKETS. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 8, 2006104,500 milesIL

1998 INTREPID WAS PURCHASED WITH 102,00 MILES. AT 104,500 MILES OIL LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AT STOP LIGHTS. ONE DAY, ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING AS I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH. OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN FAITHFULLY DONE BY PREVIOUS OWNER AND MYSELF. ALTHOUGH I ONLY MANAGED TO GET ONE IN BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 6, 200672,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 98 DODGE INTREPID READY TO BE RE-POSSESSED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2001 WITH 53000 MILES ON IT. 2 YEARS LATER THE ENGINE BLEW WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS GETTING OFF I-95. IT COST ME $4200 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. A YEAR LATER THE 2ND ENGINE BLEW AND AGAIN WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING ON I 95. I REPLACED THE ENGINE AGAIN AT $2400 BECAUSE I STILL OWED MONEY ON MY LOAN. THE SECOND ENGINE LASTED ABOUT ANOTHER YEAR AND NOW OVERHEATS AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A HALF HOUR. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE HEADS ARE BAD AND THE ENGINE IS CRACKED. I WILL NOT PUT A 3RD ENGINE IN THIS CAR. I STILL OWE $5000 ON MY LOAN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT ANY MORE SINCE I WENT AND BOUGHT A 2001 HONDA THAT I NEED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2005VA

DT: WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY FOUND SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE, DESPITE THE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2005117,000 milesOH

BOUGHT MY 1998 DODGE INTREPID IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I DID A ROUTINE OIL CHECK EVERY 3000 MILES. THE ONE TIME I DON'T GET IT CHANGED AT 3,000 MILES WITH IT ONLY BEING OVER BY 700 MILES MY ENGINE BLOWS. I'VE DROVE MANY CARS AND I DIDN'T GET THE OIL CHANGED AT EXACTLY 3000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS. I CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH MY ENGINE MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR SHAKING. I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO A PARKING LOT I SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP. JUST TO FIND OUT ITS A BLOWN ENGINE AND ITS GOING TO COST ME OVER FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE. MY CAR HAS 117000 MILES ON IT. I'M UNABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX IT AND I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2.6 L. WHY IS THERE NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THEM OR A RECALL ESPECIALLY WITH AS MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEM. I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION NOW WITH TWO LITTLE GIRLS WORKING AND GOING TO COLLEGE SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2005OH

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE, STARTED TO SHAKE AND MAKE TERRIBLE NOISES. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Dec 13, 200555,000 milesGA

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 3/2002. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER THREE TIMES; HAD A FULL FRONT END REPLACEMENT; NEW ENGINE PUT IN; NEW TRANSMISSION; STUDS BROKE FROM THE FRONT TIRE AND WHILE THE TIRE WAS ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD MY CARD WAS SKIDDING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 2 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE CAR. NOW THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SCREWED UP AND THE CAR IS NOT EVEN RUNNING. I HAVE ALL MY PAPERWORK WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE "NO QUESTIONS ASKED" BECAUSE WE HAVE SPENT OVER $6,000 FIXING THIS PIECE OF JUNK. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 6, 2005CA

HEADLIGHT LENS CORRODED RESULTING IN LESS LIGHT ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 2, 200580,000 milesKS

DT: THE CONTACT STATES ENGINE MADE A LOUD CLANKING SOUND. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART; THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. THE ENGINE WAS NOT BEING REPLACED.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Nov 15, 2005OH

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT 3 MPH WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THEY FOUND THE RACK AND PINION CAME APART. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS HAPPENED. THEY WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2005137,000 milesIL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. SHE HEARD AN ODD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. SHE PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE ENGINE AND THE OIL LEVEL WAS FINE. WHEN SHE STARTED THE CAR BACK UP THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED O THE LOCAL SERVICE SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. SHE HAD NO PLANS ON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Nov 10, 2005GA

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A COIL PACK REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES THEN IT WAS READY TO BE DRIVEN. . ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE ELECTRICAL.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 2, 200575,000 milesPA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STALLED. WHEN SHE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. HE SAID THE STALLING WAS DUE TO AN OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP, AND THE PARTS WERE BUILT TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2005110,000 milesKY

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE MADE A CLATTERING SOUND. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2005MI

1998 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILED WITH NO WARNING. *TS THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM CC TO NHTSA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2005MI

CONSUMER 1998 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILED WITH OUT ANY WARNING. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION. (PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE) *SC

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 21, 200576,000 milesMD

MY WIFE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON GOING APPROX. 30 MPH. SHE SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER FACE, NECK, BACK, WRIST AND KNEE. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY PICKED-UP THE CAR AND PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION FROM THE COMPUTER AND SENT A LETTER STATING THE AIRBAG WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AS THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS SIGNIFICANT. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2005119,000 milesTN

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. ON AUGUST 19, 2005 WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND AT A STEADY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE CONTACT'S SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS A BAD ENGINE. THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES WHERE THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BECAUSE THE COST OF REPAIR WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. *AK *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2005127,779 milesKY

DT: THE CALLER STATES ENGINE HAS A ROD KNOCKING. AFTER HE HAD THE OIL CHANGED THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. THE CALLER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL A RECALL IS ISSUED. HE WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 3.7L ENGINE.*AK *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 19, 200550,000 milesLA

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1998 DODGE INTREPID HAD A BLOWN ENGINE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLINGING SOUND. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO BE CHECKED. THE REPAIRMAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT MADE ANY PLANS ON WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO WITH THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables
Filed Sep 16, 200582,000 milesMI

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THE MAIN BATTERY HARNESS CORRODED, FORCING THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY GIVEN POINT WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, AND THE BATTERY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND THAT WAS WHY THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THIS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED FIVE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TO COVER THIS EXPENSE. PREVIOUSLY, WHEN THE CAR WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM THE SERVICE DEALER WOULD ONLY CLEAN THE CABLES TO THE BATTERY, AND THIS WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2005116,000 milesWI

I WAS COMING OFF OF THE FREEWAY, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AND IN A BLINK OF AN EYE THE ENGINE DIED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND IT HAD NO OIL, SO I FILLED IT, TRIED STARTING IT, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED, IT MAKES A CLANK CLANK NOISE, AND IS UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED REGULARLY.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 24, 2005MN

SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK ON THE 1998 DODGE INTREPID.*MR THE VHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING COVER, VC COVER, MAIN TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER AND GUIDES. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 23, 2005TX

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2002 THE ENGINE SLUDGE INCREASED AND ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC , WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THE SLUDGE. THE COST OF REPAIR TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT $7000. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT H HEARD OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TRADED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE WAS CHANGED REGULARLY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY FIRST BEGAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WAS ABOUT 50,000 -60,000 MILES. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WHERE THE ENGINE STALLED WAS ABOUT 4-5 TIMES. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, RUN REAL ROUGH OR WOULD COMPLETELY STALL. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED ONE TIME. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 18, 2005TX

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A STEADY SPEED AT 40 MPH. THE ENGINE DID RESTART AT ABOUT 30-40 MINUTES LATER. THIS HAPPENED 8 TIMES SINCE THIS BEGAN 3 WEEKS AGO. TODAY THE DEALER REPLACED A CRANK SENSOR, BUT AS OF YET SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT WAS REPAIRED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 12, 2005126,000 milesSC

THE IGNITION LOCK ON THIS VEHICLE WILL SURRENDER THE KEY IN ANY POSITION. THOUGH THE DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH A PUSH ROD IN THE SHIFTER AND THE SHIFTER ITSELF PER CHRYSLER RECALL CAMPAIGN C45, THE KEY CONTINUES TO COME OUT OF THE LOCK IN THE ACC, OFF, RUN, AND START POSITIONS. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THE FAULT IS IN THE LOCK CYLINDER, THOUGH THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN C45 AND WAS NOT REPLACED. NOTE THAT THE CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN TO THE LOCK OR ACC POSITION WITHOUT THE SHIFTERS BEING IN PARK AND THE SHIFTER ALSO WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE LOCK CYLINDER IN THE LOCK OR ACC POSITION NOR HAS EITHER OF THE ABOVE FAILURES EVER OCCURRED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE KEY COMING OUT HOWEVER WAS ALREADY OCCURRING BY THE TIME THE RECALL NOTICE WAS FIRST RECEIVED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST NOW TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING DUE TO A LACK OF ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 9, 2005WI

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF AT A GAS STATION, PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND REVVED THE ENGINE ,AND THE SOUND RETURNED. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS WORSE TODAY THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE ADVISED THE CONSUMER THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7 L ENGINE, AND THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY THING THE MECHANIC COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE ENGINE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 3, 2005119,000 milesWI

DT: 1998 DODGE INTREPED . THE ENGINE KNOCKED AND LOCKED. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jul 22, 200580,000 milesOH

DT: THE ENGINE FAILED TWICE, IT WAS AN OIL SLUDGE. HAS PAPER WORK FROM CHRYSLER STATING THEY WOULD PAY $850.00, AND BY SIGNING THIS CONSUMER WOULD GIVE UP ALL FUTURE RIGHTS. MECHANIC DETERMIN ED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM OCCURRED AYEAR AGO AND MECHANIC REPLACED OIL PUMP, THE ROD BEARINGS, MAIN BEARING , AND TIMING CHAIN. DID THE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IT RECOMMENDED EVERY 7,000. MILES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 12, 200578,000 milesMI

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A DODGE INTREPID. THE VEHICLE HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE ONLY WARNINGS BEING THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERING ON AND OFF ONCE OR TWICE. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO ALSO VERIFIED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFERRED TO THE PROBLEM AS TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 11, 200595,000 miles00

I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 INTREPID AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING IT JUST STOPPED ON THE ROAD(VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME). THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THERE WAS ONLY 95000 MILLES ON THE CAR. I HAVE FOLLOWED EVERYTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ON HOW TO MAINTAIN THE CAR, INCLUDING CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. I GOT AN ESTIMATE FROM THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $5000 TO REPAIR. I SEND A LETTER TO CHRYSLER AND AM WANTING FOR THEIR RESPONSE BEFORE I START ANY WORK ON THE CAR.

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jun 22, 200578,000 milesFL

DT: CALLER GOT RECALL LETTER ON TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM #C45. CALLER TOOK IT TO DEALER, DEALER SAID THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, BUT THE CALLER SAID IT WAS NOT FIXED. SHE SAID SHE COUDN'T SHIFT IT WITHOUT A KEY AND SHE COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE IT IS IN GEAR. MANUFACTURER SAID THE WORK WAS DONE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING ELSE . THEY OFFERED NO HELP. CALLER SAID PROBLEM IS LISTED ON THE RECALL LETTER BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER SAID ONE TIME SHE FORGOT TO PUT IT IN PARK AND TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THE CAR ROLLED AWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jun 22, 2005NY

DT: CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BOLTS OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT; THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED ON JUNE 4, 2003. SINCE THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE THERE WERE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT. THE SERVICE DEALER WILL PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND IF IT WAS DEEMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS WORK.*AK

Power Train
Filed Jun 17, 2005DC

1998 DODGE INTREPID TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 58000 MILES.*MR *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 21, 200594,547 milesFL

THE CAR ACCELERATED, THE RPM'S WENT THRU THE ROOF, WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, AND SHOT FORWARD, MADE A LOUD THUMP SOUND, AND WAS NOT STOPPABLE, HAD TO BE PUT INTO PARK TO STOP. THE ENGINE HAD RIPPED OUT OF THE FRAME, WHICH HAD RIPPED OUT OF THE BODY.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 16, 200590,000 milesNC

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND HAD A NEW RADIATOR PUT IN AND ON THE WAY HOME THE ENGINE SEIZED AND IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE PUT IN THE VEHICLE. *TT *EH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 15, 200580,000 milesWA

DRIVING IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN THE DODGE INTREPID I WAS DRIVING DIED. THE 2.7 ENGINE APPEARS TO BE GARBAGE. I WOULD LIKE SOME HELP..

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed Apr 29, 200512,200 milesOH

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE INTREPID IN ORDER TO GO TO MEDIC SCHOOL IN 2004 FROM JD BYRIDER IN CLEVELAND,OHIO ON DECEMBER 3,2003. IN JANUARY THE CAR STARTED TO HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AFTER I WOULD DRIVE IT AROUND THE CITY TO DO THINGS. (E.G. BANKING PICK UP CHILDREN AND OTHER STUFF.) I TOOK THE CAR BACK THEN AND KEPT TO RUN SOME TEST BUT THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT DO WHAT I SAID IT WOULD. SO AFTER THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT 3 MORE TIMES THE SERVICE MANAGER SENT THE CAR TO DEACON'S CHRYSLER TO HAVE THEM WORK ON IT. DEACONS DID ABOUT $1000 WORTH OF WORK ON IT AND I GOT THE CAR BACK. ONCE SPRING ARRIVED IN CLEVELAND I BEGAN TO NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY TAIL PIPE WHENEVER I WOULD DRIVE OFF FROM A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR ANYTHING ELSE AFTER SITTING THERE IDLE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. AROUND MY TAIL PIPE WAS BLACK OIL SLUDGE BUILDING UP, AND THE CAR WAS BURNING UP 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 5000 MILES. BY NOW THERE IS A NEW SERVICE MANAGER AT JD BYRIDER AND HE PUT ME ON A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST TO SEE HOW MUCH OIL IT WOULD BURN OVER 3000 MILES. MEANWHILE I WAS HEAVY INTO SCHOOL I WORKED FULL TIME FOR CLEVELAND EMS ON A 12 HOUR SHIFT, HAD SCHOOL 2 DAYS OUT OF THE WEEK AND MAKE ALL MY CLINICAL TIME. FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER I PUT IN OVER 18,000 MILES, SO IN OCTOBER WHEN I HAD MY THIRD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND THE MILEAGE WAS TO HIGH I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT JD BYRIDER OR BEST EXTENDED COULD DO FOR THE CAR. (I RECORDED THE CONVERSATION ALSO) I ASKED FOR THE RECORDS OF MY VEHICLE FOR WHEN IT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Apr 25, 200593,389 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF IT WAS FINE. WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN IT WILL NOT START. WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. ALSO, IT IS USING LOTS OF FUEL. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. *AK CONSUMER HAVE 3 ISOLATED PROBLEMS, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. FIRST PROBLEM ONCE VEHICLE WARM UP COMPLETELY IT IS DIFFICUIT TO RESTART. RECENT PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN UNREPAIRABLE EXHAUST PROBLEM. HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS TELL CONSUMER THEY CAN'T FIX IT. FINAL ISSUE IS RADIATOR FLUSH THAT CAN'T SERVICE. THE REPAIR SHOPS CAN'T GET THE DAMP OFF. THESE ARE ALL ORIGINAL PARTS. *BF

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor ShiftCrash
Filed Apr 19, 2005112,000 milesNE

1998, DODGE, INTREPID WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HOUSE. IGNITION OFF, KEY OUT, IN PARK. CAR ROLLED AWAY DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FLOOR SHIFT PARKING INTERLOCK, STRUCK HOUSE DOWN THE STREET. CAR WAS TOTALED. NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHO WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE CAR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 13, 200594,000 milesOR

I PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2003 A 1998 DODGE INTREPID FOR MY DAUGHTER. WITHIN 18 MONTHS THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 10 TIMES FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. OIL CHANGES WERE FOLLOWED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS SCHEDULE. AT 94,000 MILES MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WITH HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHEN THE CARS ENGINE STOPPED. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. DODGE/CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE THIS FAULTY ENGINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IF SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BEFORE SHE COULD GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. I DREAD TO THINK OF WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. FINALLY I HAD TO SPEND $3600 DOLLARS FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND AM NOW BEING TOLD IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. NOT ONLY AN I OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS BUT I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 26, 2005106,780 milesTN

IN DECEMBER A MECHANIC TOLD ME THE OIL WAS LIKE SLUDGE IN THE CAR, ACCUSING ME OF NOT HAVING IT CHANGED ALTHOUGH I HAD IT CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. HE TOLD ME THEN ABOUT THE ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE 2.7 LILTER. IN MARCH, MY ENGINE STARTED TAPPING AND THE OIL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THE ENGINE IDLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL AND IT WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I CHECKED THE OIL WHEN THE TAPPING STARTED, AND IT WAS FINE. THAT WAS A THURSDAY NIGHT. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK (3.5 MILES ONE WAY) AND BACK ON FRIDAY. SATURDAY MORNING I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE GARAGE 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT, AND WHILE TRYING TO GET THERE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A RACKET, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, AND THEN THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH ME OUT OF THE ROAD WITH HIS CAR AS THE METRO POLICE STOPPED TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL BEFORE I LEFT AND THERE WAS NO OIL TRAIL ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT, HE SAW THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS BLOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE CAR, AND NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Mar 17, 2005140,000 milesIL

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 65 MPH 1998 DODGE INTREPID BLEWUP SO HARD IT EVEN BROKE THE STARTER OFF THE TRANSMISSION BELL HAUSING. THIS WAS A NICE CLEAN TAKEN CARE OF CAR BUT THE MOTERS ARE JUNK AND CHRYSLER SAID TUFF '!@#$% WE DONT CARE . CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO FIX EVERY ONE OF THESE WERE ALL BAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2005PA

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED.DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINE D THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed Mar 7, 2005NC

DODGE INTREPID 1998 PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS. *BF *SC THE LENS DETERIORATED AND HAD BECOME CLOUDY. *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2005140,000 miles00

WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY. AND ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED LITTLE OR NO WARNING. BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD MY 2.7 L ENGINE FAILED DUE TO VERY COMMON OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD SLUDGE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN MAINTENANCE IS NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY NO HELP OFFERED. CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 28, 2005VA

WHEN CHANGING MOTOR OIL BURNED OIL STAYED INSIDE THE MOTOR. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Feb 8, 2005ND

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE SHOP. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid → · Every Intrepid year → · How the figures are calculated →