1998 Dodge Intrepid: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 377 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2013
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2012
“Engine failure clicking noise possible valve train. Consuming large amounts of oil but no properly lubricating engine parts. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2010
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 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 pay the rest of the loan of $2200 on a car that just sits in the driveway!!! *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2009
“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. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2008
“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.*tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2008
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2008
“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. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 30 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING SOME REQUIRED COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE IN THESE VEHICLES.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 1998 Dodge Intrepid reliable?
NHTSA has 377 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Intrepid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,840 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.