34 of the
473 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Intrepid are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
96,250 miles.
F
34
Complaints
1
Crashes
11
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Front Underhood
926.5%
Electrical System
823.5%
Interior/Under Dash
514.7%
Wiring
411.8%
12V/24V/48V Battery
12.9%
Horn
12.9%
Ignition
12.9%
Module
12.9%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
12.9%
Switch
12.9%
Electrical System across every Dodge Intrepid year
I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 1500$ THE INSPECTION RAN OUT AT THE END OF THAT MONTH, INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED AS A "LICKEM STICKEM" THE CAR 2 WEEKS LATER WAS DETERMINED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAZARDOUS TO PUBLIC SAFETY, CAR WAS LEFT AT PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR TWO (2) WEEKS IN WHICH TIME NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE CAR REMAINS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NOT RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10468795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesOrlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE ITS PURCHASE REQUIRING REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE. THE LATEST BEING A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO A FAILURE IN THE WIRING CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS ON 2 OCCASIONS. REPLACEMENT OF THE FAN HARNESS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT WILL SHORT OUT AND BURN THE CONNECTION AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10206760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesOrlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE ITS PURCHASE REQUIRING REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE. THE LATEST BEING A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO A FAILURE IN THE WIRING CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS ON 2 OCCASIONS. REPLACEMENT OF THE FAN HARNESS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT WILL SHORT OUT AND BURN THE CONNECTION AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10206760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesBrighton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE MUST STOP BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. NO INDICATORS LIGHT CAME ON EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS AND ALL HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE DEALERSHIP STATES A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THIS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005.
NHTSA complaint #10141458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, MEFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE A COIL AND TIE RODS PUT ON THE CAR. PICKED UP THE CAR THIS MORNING AFTER SHE GOT HOME WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10122122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,887 milesCowan, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10097073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesIndianapolis, INCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL INTO A SHORT POST DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10096829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plain City, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS CLEANED USING HOSE WATER. AFTER DRIVING CAR FOR APPROX. 10 MILES, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE AROUND ELETRICAL AND BATTERY AREA UNDER THE HOOD. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10074577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesCoshocton, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10066856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,450 milesLoganville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I KEPT SMELLING SOMETHING HOT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING, I REMOVED THE COVER FROM THE STEERING COLUMN SINCE THAT IS WHERE THE SMELL SEEMED TO ORIGINATE AND IT OFTEN FELT HOT. I FOUND THE WIRE TO THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL OF THE DIMMER SWITCH HAD OVERHEATED BURNING OFF ABOUT AN INCH OF INSULATION AND DAMAGING BOTH THE SWITCH AND THE CONNECTOR ON THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW SWITCH AND AM PREPARING TO REPAIR THE CONNECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10054235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesWillimantic, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. UPON CLICKING THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH THEY WOULD COME BACK ON. INTERMITTENT WIPERS STARTING NOT WORKING ALSO. HIGH BEAM SWITCH STOPPED WORKING (NOT STAYING IN PLACE) DAY PRIOR TO MELTDOWN. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON 11/22/03 THERE WAS A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND AROUND OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN I GOT HOME. SMELLED NOTHING OUTSIDE. GOT BACK IN CAR AND AT THAT POINT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC AND THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN (MODULE FOR HIGH BEAM/SIGNAL/WIPER AND WIRING HARNESS) COMPLETELY MELTED. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WAS ANY FIRE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10049165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,600 milesPowell, WYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STRONG SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN CAR WAS PULLED OVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FABRIC COVERING THE CEILING OF THE CAR WAS BURNING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY REMOVED FUSE THAT CONTOLS INDOOR LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL. WE HAVE HAD NOT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS YET.
NHTSA complaint #10039475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,500 milesWilliamsport, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10033001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,500 milesWilliamsport, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10033001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,500 milesWilliamsport, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10033001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Bragg, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10024209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Bragg, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE WAS DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,700 milesPlymouth, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#98V32300 ISOLATOR CRADLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10001631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairborn, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS HARD TO FIND THE HORN DURING AN EMERGENCY SINCE IT WAS LOCATED IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #786403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Philadelphia, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING, SMELT SMOKE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #8011818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indiannpolis, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH A FIRE STARTED , AND VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #896713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monogahela, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
STEERING WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. SMOKE WAS ENTERING VEHICLE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE CHECKED AFTER STOPPING. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS REPAIRED. WAS DRIVING 70MPH AND PROBLEM HAD REOCCURRED. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS REPAIRED. PROBLEM HAPPENED A THIRD TIN DOWN. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #887282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Onekama, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT FUNCTIONING. THIS HAPPENED AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP FOR A WHILE. WHEN VEHICLE COOLED DOWN, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING WOULD REAPPEAR, BUT DISAPPEARED AGAIN WHEN WARMED UP. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK OUT PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED A TYPE OF ELECTRONIC SWITCH WAS CAUSING LIGHTS TO QUIT. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE GUAGE CLUSTER WORKED FOR A WHILE.
NHTSA complaint #883685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centralia, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mitchellville, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, THEN SAW BACKSEAT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #880082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elfrida, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE INSIDE INTERIOR DASH AND OVERHEAD LIGHT COME ON AND OFF WHEN THEY WANT TO. THE DASH FLASHES, WHEN I OPEN THE DOORS SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THE HEADLIGHTS AUTOMATIC TIMER WHEN SHUT OFF DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THE RIGHT AXEL ON THE PASSINGERS SIDE NEEDS TO BE REPLACES VERY LOSE. AUTOMATIC LOCKS FOR THE 2 BACK DOORS DON'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #738789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND AT APPROX 33000 MILES THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUG WIRING "BURNT" AND THE CAR 'S MOTOR STARTED MISSING. I HAD A NEW SET OF SPARK WIRES INSTALLED (UNDER WARRENTY-BY DEALER) AND AGAIN AT APPROX 47000 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AGAIN I REPLACED THESE WIRES AT THE DEALER'S SHOP AT MY EXPENSE ($139). UPON ASKING AS TO WHY SUCH AN OCCURANCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM THE REPAIR SHOP FOREMAN TOLD ME THAT ALL INTREPIDS HAD THAT PROBLEM! I HAVE WRITTEN CHRYSLER TO COMPLAIN OF THIS BUT HAVE NO RESPONSE FROM THEM FOR A MONTH NOW. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER INTREPID OWNERS AND TO MY AMAZMENT THEY TOO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, JUST AS THE FOREMAN TOLD ME. MY QUESTION IS ONE OF SAFETY, WHAT IF SOMEONE WERE DRIVING AND THE WIRING WAS LOST TO SEVERAL OF THE PLUGS AT ONE TIME, WOULD THE MOTOR STOPRUNNING? DEPENDING UPON THE ROAD CONDITIONS THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS SAID THAT A SIMPLE SHIELD WOULD PREVENT THIS. WHY DOES NOT DODGE DO THIS ALSO? IN A NUTSHELL MY DODGE INTREPID HAS HAD 3 SETS OF SPARK PLUG WIRES IN 47000 MILES AND NO RELIEF IN SIGHT. THANK YOU, MARILYN J DAVIS
NHTSA complaint #734997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinley Park, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING WIRING HARNESS, NEXT TO THE FUEL RAIL, CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #848981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vadnias Heights, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #531121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vadnias Heights, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
SHORT IN ELECTRONIC RELAY CAUSING ENGINE SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #531121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.