1996 Dodge Intrepid: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 505 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 505 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2012
“Vehicle was getting serviced for an oil change when technicians noticed the smell of gasoline in the engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a shop where the fuel rail was deemed to be leaking gasoline. The vehicle/part was listed (according to chrysler) as having been replaced in 1999. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2012
“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”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle. The failure was contributed to broken bolts which supported the tie rod bushing, and the rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 177,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2009
“It started out my steering would get really tight and you couldn't move it at all and it happens everyday now we took it to the dealership and they said it was the rack-n-pinion and so they fixed it and its still doing it. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2008
“Bolts holding tie rods to steering gear (rack) broke. Unable to steer vehicle. Fortunately, I was just leaving my parking lot and didn't cause any accidents and/or injuries. Paid $700 to have car fixed. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2008
“1996 dodge intrepid had to have alot of front end work done on tie rod ends and bushings worn out then while driving the car the brakes failed for no apparent reason and caused a accident whole front end totaled and the air bags did not deploy why is it that dodge auto air bags do not deploy. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge intrepid. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. He also noticed that the fuel gauge indicator was moving faster than normal. The spark plugs were changed and the contact noticed gasoline leaking from the fuel injectors. He discovered NHTSA campaign id number 98v184000, but was unaware if his vehicle was included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were less than 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2008
“The steering system in a 1996 dodge intrepid totally failed while driving down the road. There was no advanced warning of any kind. It is by the grace of god that I did not wreck. The left bolt that screw into the rack/pin steering box stripped out and caused the right bolt to snap causing the entire steering to fail. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2008
“My 1996 dodge intrepid, while moving forward at approximately 20 - 25 miles per hour struck an abruptly stopped vehicle. The airbag deployed late. Even while wearing my seatbelt, my forehead struck the top of the steering wheel, causing injury, and directly after thus my airbags deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 32 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Intrepid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Intrepid reliable?
NHTSA has 505 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid. The most complained-about area is steering (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Intrepid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,225 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.