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1998 Dodge IntrepidProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 377 owner complaints about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year13% below the Intrepid median · #8 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints37762 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 14, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Dodge Intrepid has problems

377 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
Engine and engine cooling1986
Service brakes, hydraulic392
Power train365
Electrical system337
Steering293
Visibility280
Air bags2216
Vehicle speed control146
Equipment120
12 other systems544

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

3 recalls

1998 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

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 03V-035 · Feb 5, 2003 · 1,066,000 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 98V-049 · Mar 9, 1998 · 54 vehicles

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.

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 engine and engine cooling problems start?

87kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 143 engine and engine cooling complaints. 71% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 49% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles101under 100k miles42100k 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.

Engine and engine cooling

27 owners mentioned a cost

$5,000median

Middle half: $3,650 – $6,000

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

1998 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKEA03011 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-021
  2. THROTTLE CONTROL FAILUREPE03010 · closed Sep 2, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Intrepid owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENGINE FAILURE CLICKING NOISE POSSIBLE VALVE TRAIN. CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT NO PROPERLY LUBRICATING ENGINE PARTS. *TR
Complaint 10423863 · Sep 6, 2011
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…
Complaint 10366680 · Nov 18, 2010
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…
Complaint 10278329 · Jul 26, 2009 · 87,000 miles

Own a 1998 Intrepid?

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