Owners have filed 493 complaints
about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid with NHTSA between 1998 and 2013.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Dodge Intrepid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 81
15.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 13
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
10.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
114.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
104.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
5322.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
8436.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
6528.0%
150,000+ miles
83.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1998peak 28Jan 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Dodge Intrepid
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA03011Opened 17 Jul 2003Closed 30 Jan 2004POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
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 VEHI...
PE03010Opened 27 Feb 2003Closed 2 Sep 2003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
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.
Recalls on the 1998 Dodge Intrepid
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
04V021000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
03V035000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
98V049000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Domins, IAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10366680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, ALCrash
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON TO ANOTHER STREET. ONCE MAKING THIS RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL BEING TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE CURB. ONCE STOPPED THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES. THE INNER AND OUTER TIRE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #10238689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1998 INTREPID ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM UPDATED 07/20/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calhoun, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #10142421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesMonrovia, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10140404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesOmaha, NECrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10118113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 156,000 milesSaint Paul, MN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10492876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10453793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Louis, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE FAILURE CLICKING NOISE POSSIBLE VALVE TRAIN. CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT NO PROPERLY LUBRICATING ENGINE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10423863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Domins, IAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10366680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,945 milesLAS Vegas, NV
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesDickson City, PA
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!!!
NHTSA complaint #10278329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 280,000 milesUxbridge Ontario Canada, 00
STEERING
POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ,NO POWER STEERING LEAKS BELTS OK AND NO NOISE UNDER HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10255485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,544 milesVancouver, WA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10251146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesDIX Hills, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A DODGE INTREPID IN APRIL 08. IT HAD 53,000 MILES, IN GREAT CONDITION AND SPOTLESS CARFAX. THE CAR STARTED MAKING PROBLEMS AT 57000 MILES. IT OVERHEATED, SO WE GOT THE RADIATOR FIXED WHICH SOLVED MY PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR SO. AFTER THAT WEEK, WHILE DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY MY ENGINE QUIT ON ME, AND STARTED STEAMING WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THAT HAPPENING WHATSOEVER. NO LIGHTS ON, NO ENGINE OVERHEATING, NOTHING. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR, AND WE DONATED THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10246442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesKenosha, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 DODGE INTREPID WITH 56K MILES N IT IS KNOCKING. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. IT IS THE 2.7 L DOHC AND I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10245291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10244673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, RATTLE, MAKE NOISE, AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED LIFTERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10242742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, ALCrash
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON TO ANOTHER STREET. ONCE MAKING THIS RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL BEING TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE CURB. ONCE STOPPED THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES. THE INNER AND OUTER TIRE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #10238689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBurnsville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10235544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBurnsville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10235544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,100 milesGlen Flora, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR STARTING SMOKING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON...CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND STILL SMOKING LOTS.
NHTSA complaint #10229202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,052 milesSouth Paris, ME
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 98 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. I BOUGHT CAR IN JULY 06, CAME WITH 90 DAY WARRANTY. HAD IT TO DEALER WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE FOR "TICKING" NOISE. WAS TOLD WAS "NORMAL LIFTER NOISE". TWO WEEKS AGO, ENGINE BLEW. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGING LIFTERS, PISTONS, ETC. NEED NEW ENGINE AT COST OF MERELY $6,000. OR USED AT $4,000. STILL OWE $4,600 ON CAR. I FEEL TOTALLY RIPPED OFF! I AM PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE. LOST ONE JOB BECAUSE OF NO TRANSPORTATION, AND MAY SOON LOSE SECOND JOB FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10227392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesLockport, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS ON VACATION FOR THE WEEKEND IN CANADA, ON THE WAY BACK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT, AND THE KNOCK WAS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE. IT IS ONCE AGAIN A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE, THAT HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2001, AND HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. I EVEN HAD THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS CHANGED JANUARY 2007, BECAUSE I HEARD THESE GO BAD AND RUIN THE ENGINE. I AM A FORMER MECHANIC, WHO REALLY TAKES CARE OF MY VEHICLES. EVERY MECHANIC TOLD ME IN 2001 THAT THESE ENGINES ARE JUNK, AND NOT TO BUY IT, BUT I DIDN'T LISTEN TO THEM. NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10211796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesWaynesboro, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VERY LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE OCCURRED THEN THE ENGINE DIED LIFTERS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE COLLAPSED AND KNOCKING STILL OCCURS AND MECHANIC IS NOW CHECKING INTO THE TIMING CHAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10211200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesOwego, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES FOR $2,000. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CAR IN AND OUT FOR THE PRICE GREAT CONDITION! I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I START IF UP TO LET IF WARM, IT WAR EXTREMELY LOUD, BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL SINCE IT'S COLD OUT AND IT NEEDED TO WARM. TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT WENT SILENT, AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A !@#$% HIGHWAY AT A RED LIGHT TOO. NO LIGHTS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HARASSING DRIVERS AND GOT IT TO A PARKING LOT WHEN IT STALLED AGAIN RIGHT WHEN I PULLED IN. STARTED IT AGAIN AND PARKED IT. CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS BONE DRY. I BOUGHT AND PUT PLENTY OF OIL IN IT LET IT RUN DROVE A LITTLE AND IT WORKED GREAT. DROVE HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS NOW SITTING IN TOWN UNTIL I HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. NICE CAR INSIDE AND OUT!!!! DANGEROUSLY SHOTTY AMERICAN MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10211250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maspeth, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE KEEPS TURNING OFF , OIL LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING WHEN STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10207668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesClangshaw, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10205256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,551 milesEast Bend, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1998 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT...OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES....I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF...IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE...MY HUSBAND IS A AUTO MECHANIC, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHERE MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT, WHICH HAD BENT THE INTAKE VALVES...UPON INSPECTION OF THE BLOCK HE NOTICED A DEFECT IN THE BLOCK...THE OIL RETURN HOLES ARE TO SMALL AND BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE....AND ENGINE FAILURE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS, IF IT FAILS AT THE WRONG TIME AND PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10203903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesFredericktown, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7L ENGINES DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED, HAD IT BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A SERIOUS CRASH COULD OF OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10198409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND SAW SMOKE EXITING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAP ON TOP OF THE SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE HEAD. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE SPARK PLUG THE SPRING BECAME LODGED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUG COULD NOT BE PLACED INSIDE THE HEAD AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS STRIPPED OUT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10188448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.