390 of the
8,078 complaints filed about the Dodge Intrepid
are about the electrical system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL FUNCTION AND POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, BRAKES, NOTHING. IT FLICKERS ON AND OFF LIKE THAT MULTIPLE TIMES. IT TOOK ME 1 1/2 HOURS TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY HALF HOUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW IN FEAR THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH DODGE VEHICLES. I CAN'T DRIVE MY VAN IN FEAR IT WILL END UP KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY, OR SOME INNOCENT PERSON ON THE ROADWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIND THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC DATE BUT A CONSTANT ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11363860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,785.
NHTSA complaint #10838909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2000 DODGE INTREPID BOUGHT ALMOST A YEAR AGO.HAD A SHORT IN THE IGNITION HAD TO WIGGLE KEY TO GET SOMETHINGS TO KICK ON.THEN A MTH AGO.I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT STARTED TO TAKE OFF IT VIBRATED REALLY BAD AND NOW IT'S STUCK IN LOW GEAR.THEN IT HAD A PROBLEM STARTING, SOMETHING DRAINS THE BATTERY.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.2 MACHINICS LOOKED MY CAR IT WON'T READ DIAGNOSTICS BECAUSE THERE'S A SHORT IN ELECTRONICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10789753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND ALL LIGHTS, METERS, AND GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10715019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 DODGE INTREPID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10669040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.
NHTSA complaint #10682056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR 09/2001 THE PASSENGER WINDOW MADE NOISE, BOTH OPENING AND CLOSING THE WINDOW. NOW BOTH WINDOWS MAKE THE SAME NOISE. WAS AND HAVE BEEN BASICALLY IGNORED WITH MY COMPLAINT. INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAVE HAD PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED, SO IT'S NOT MY IMAGINATION. THIS HAS WAS DISMISSED WHEN QUESTIONING WHY IS THIS HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #10653544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TURNING OFF CAR, SWITCH SLIPS INTO ACCESSORY POSITION AND DRAINS BATTERY. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN I RETURN TO THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE. I NEED TO PAY FOR A JUMP OR NEW BATTERY, OR TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THEN I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH LASTED UNTIL 2011. THE AFTER MARKET IGNITION SWITCHES FAIL WITHIN ABOUT A YEAR. SOMETIMES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. SINCE JAN. 2011, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON 1/10/11 COST $147.50, 2/16/2012, COST $220.39, ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY, COST $588.28 (MECHANIC THOUGHT IT COULDN'T BE THE SWITCH AGAIN), STARTER ASSEMBLY AGAIN 2/21/14, COST $384.23; RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE RADIO SINCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT 3/14/2014, COST $45:IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN ON 8/01/14, COST $110.56. ALSO THIS CAR KEEPS HAVING THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHTS FAIL. THEY TELL ME THIS IS ALL PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT WHICH THEY GUESS IS CAUSING ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. BUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL I MADE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH. I BELIEVE THAT THE AFTERMARKET WAS FULL OF FAULTY GM IGNITION SWITCHES AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR MY MECHANIC TO TELL IF WE WERE GETTING BAD GM DESIGNED SWITCHES. LUCKILY FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS MY CAR DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. BUT HAVING 95 YEAR OLD PASSENGERS, ON HOT FLORIDA DAYS, GET INTO A CAR THAT WON'T START, CANNOT BE COOLED DOWN, CANNOT EVEN ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS SINCE THEY ARE ELECTRIC , THESE CONDITIONS COULD HAVE KILLED MY ELDERLY FRAGILE PASSENGERS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY OF INSURING THAT ALL THOSE BAD SWITCHES ARE REMOVED FROM THE AFTERMARKET.
NHTSA complaint #10626647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EVERY TIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN I STALL. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO BE SERVICED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT PART THEY CHANGED BUT IT'S STILL DOING IT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A GOOD FAMILY CAR. I CAN'T EVEN SEE MY GRAND KIDS I'M TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHEN I SAY IT STALL ALL THE TIME I LIVE 13 MILES FROM WORK AND I WILL STALL 6 TIMES BEFORE I GET THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10615406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , THEN NO CRUISE CONTROL, NO HORN, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. CALLED DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, IN. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW AND THAT THEY DON'T HANDLE RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10573245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER PURCHASING CAR FROM AUCTION, WE TOOK FOR EMISSIONS TESTING IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A TAG. WE WERE TOLD THE TEST COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE COMPUTER HAD NOT FINISHED THE TESTS. WE WERE ADVISED HOW TO COMPLETE THE DRIVING REQUIREMENTS AND TO COME BACK AFTER THAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS THE TESTS STILL SHOWED INCOMPLETE. NOW SIX YEARS LATER THE ODBII STILL WILL NOT COMPLETE AND ACTUALLY RESTARTS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD AND A DEFECT THAT REQUIRES THE ECU TO BE FLASHED WITH UPDATED PROGRAM INFORMATION. THERE IS EVEN A TSB #181897 WHICH COVERED THIS. DEALERS ARE EITHER UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR WANT TO CHARGE CLOSE TO $100. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD DO THIS SERVICE AT NO CHARGE SINCE IT IS S DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE EXISTS. THERE ARE NO CODES BEING THROWN AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TAG THE CAR FOR MANY YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10552307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THE THIRD OWNER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK AND THE HORN WOULDN'T SOUND.AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET,AND FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD MANY MANY OF THE INTERNAL PASTS CHANGED AND THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REIMBURSED, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD BECAUSE WE WERE THE THIRD OWNER,AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH,THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR WAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT,NOR HAS IT BEEN ABUSED. I THINK THAT BECAUSE MY HORN CAN'T WORK IT MAY BE A CONCERN. I ALSO THINK WILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INSIDENT.BOTH DODGE INTREPID , AND OTHER DODGES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY PAYING 4-TO5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE COST AND REPLACEMENT OF THE PART SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN INTERNAL PART IN THE STEERING THAT BREAKS WITH OUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY CAUSE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES I.E.ACCEDENTSOR OTHER. BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACTED YOU, THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED OR ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10544860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHICH AFFECTS THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATING/AC COMPONENT. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE WINDOWS & HEATER/AC STOPPED WORKING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAD A 1993 DODGE INTREPID WITH THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AT TIMES BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH ALLOWED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND HEATER/AC TO WORK UNTIL THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE DIFFERENCE IS I CANNOT GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN OFF AT ALL ON THE 1996 MODEL, THE DIFFERENCE BEING BETWEEN THE TWO MODELS IS THAT THE 93 HAD THE GEAR SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR CONSOLE; WHILE 96 IS ON THE COLUMN. THE FACT THAT THE 93 AND 96 BOTH HAVE THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT AFFECTING THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS & THE HEATER/AC IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT ONE THING SHOULD AFFECT THE OTHER, BUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT TO BE UNTRUE. IN MY OPINION THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH EITHER THE SENSORS OR SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR POSSIBLY THE WIRING WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF MANUFACTURING ISSUES. THIS DOES POSE AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN AND THE HEATER/AC WILL NOT COOL/HEAT THE CAR AND THE DEFROSTER CANNOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS OF CONDENSATION; WHICH CREATES OBSTRUCTED VIEW. THE NONWORKING HEATER/AC SEVERELY RESTRICTS THE TIMES YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR, UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RISK HEAT EXHAUSTION DURING SUMMER OR FROSTBITE DURING THE WINTER.
NHTSA complaint #10543008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WENT TO LEAVE WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE BATTERY OR STARTER. AFTER HAVING BOTH OF THESE TESTED AND SEVERAL MECHANICS LATER WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I HAVE ALWAYS CHECKED THE OIL AND HAD IT CHANGED ACCORDINGLY. THIS IS NOT FAIR I TRUSTED THAT THIS CAR WOULD BE RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE NOW I AM STUCK WITH NO VEHICLE IN A TOWN WITH LITTLE TO NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. HOW COULD CHRYSLER/DODGE KNOWINGLY LET PEOPLE PURCHASE THIS ENGINE WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ON IT? HOW ABOUT A RECALL AND SOME INTEGRITY AND HONESTY IN YOUR PRODUCT INSTEAD OF SCREWING SINGLE MOTHERS LIKE ME...
NHTSA complaint #10503338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE MERGED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #10482896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING 30 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 PM AND THE CAR JUST DIED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC HAD TO PUSH TO A SIDE STREET AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART, AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON TO THIS MODEL AND SO FAR HAVE FOUND NO SOLUTIONS BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING AND BRAKES THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE AS OTHER REPORTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE REPORTS I HAVE READ THUS FAR HAVE FOUND NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIND AS YOU JUST GUESS AT WHICH PART TO CHANGE OR WHERE TO LOOK, WE NEED HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10477154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR A DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
NHTSA complaint #10477160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED VEHICLE 01/30/12,TEST DROVE,CHECKED FLUIDS,MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. SELLER SAID HE JUST HAD OIL CHANGE AND SMOG 1 MONTH PRIOR, HE PROVIDED ME DOCUMENTS CONFIRMING. HAD NO ISSUES WITH VEHICLE, UNTIL ABOUT 03/20/12,THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH WAS ODD. I CHECKED THE OIL,FOUND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY, PUT 2 QUARTS IN IMMEDIATELY,LIGHT WENT OFF. I STARTED CHECKING DRIVEWAY DAILY FOR SIGNS OF OIL LEAKING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DROVE FINE.03/28/12, CAR STALLED,WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AS I EXITED FREEWAY, LEAVING MYSELF AND MY 3YR. OLD STUCK IN LANE ON OFF RAMP FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.A PASSERBY ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IT,THAT DIDN'T WORK,CAR HAD NO POWER AT ALL,WE PUSHED IT TO A SAFER SPOT. I WALKED 2 BLOCKS HOME. CAME BACK NEXT DAY,JUMPED IT,IT STARTED BUT NOW THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I CHECKED THE OIL IT READ FULL,I DROVE CAR HOME IT STALLED 3 TIMES IN THE 2 BLOCKS HOME. KNOCKING SOUND CONTINUED I PARKED THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE OIL LIGHT WAS STILL ON THE ENGINE WAS STILL KNOCKING. HE CHECKED OIL AGAIN AND CONFIRMED THE CAR DID HAVE OIL,AND DETECTED NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON ENGINE, IT DETECTED NO ISSUES,HE RAN IT AGAIN,AND THE RESULTS WHERE THE SAME. HE DROVE THE CAR,ME IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT SO HE COULD GET A HEAR THE KNOCKING SOUND WHEN CAR WAS MOVING.BACKED OUT OF LOT DRIVING ABOUT 10 TO 12 MPH, WE GOT MAYBE HALF A BLOCK AND THE CAR WENT DEAD. HE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD,WHEN HE PRESSED THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THERE WAS A BARELY AUDIBLE BURSTING SOUND.WE GOT OUT AND FOUND A THICK BLACK MUDDY TYPE SUBSTANCE GUSHING OUT OF THE BOTTOM FROM THE FRONT END, LEAVING A PUDDLE THE LENGTH AND WIDTH OF CAR. HE IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED IT AS OIL SLUDGE, AND SAID MY ENGINE HAD BLOWN. WE DISCUSSED MY OPTIONS AND ULTIMATELY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME IT HASN'T STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10474015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.