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1996 Dodge IntrepidProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 505 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Intrepid, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Intrepid median · #6 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints50571 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage83kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 22, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Dodge Intrepid has problems

505 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering1523
Engine and engine cooling835
Fuel system, gasoline804
Power train442
Suspension441
Air bags3423
Electrical system3210
Service brakes, hydraulic323
Structure232
14 other systems10412

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Dodge Intrepid recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: floor shift

Recall 04V-021 · Jan 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles

Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 98V-184 · Aug 6, 1998 · 722,600 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

83kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 24 steering complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 15% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles16under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Steering

15 owners mentioned a cost

$1,200median

Middle half: $700 – $1,500

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Intrepid year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Intrepid median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Dodge Intrepid safety ratings

1996 Dodge Intrepid 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge Intrepid, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSISDP04007 · closed Oct 27, 2004
    No recall
  2. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKEA03011 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-021
  3. STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINIONEA99031 · closed Sep 13, 2001
    No recall
  4. STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINIONPE99044 · closed Oct 29, 1999
    No recall
  5. FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAKRQ98018 · closed Jul 8, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-184
In owners' words

What Intrepid owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ON 15MAR12 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED WHILE LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL, THE STEERING STILL FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. *TR
Complaint 10451880 · Mar 15, 2012 · 118,550 miles
I HAVE OWNED A 1996 DODGE INTREPID FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS AWARE THAT THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE LOOSE, WHAT I DID NOT KNOW WAS THAT THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AS WELL AS MOST OF THE TIE RODS AROUND THEM WERE COMPLETELY SHOT. MY STEERING WHEEL GRINDS WHEN I TURN IT…
Complaint 10380033 · Feb 2, 2011 · 56,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. IMMEDIATELY, THE DRIVER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE…
Complaint 10294530 · Dec 4, 2009

Own a 1996 Intrepid?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.