VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Intrepid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Dodge Intrepid sits mid-pack among Intrepid years: 493 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 493, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 15 deaths and 32 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 42% of all reports (206 of 493), far ahead of brakes at 45.

493

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

32

Injuries

15

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Intrepid years?

Intrepid NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted1,236 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 2 complaints1992: 2 complaints1993: 554 complaints1994: 1,024 complaints1995: 919 complaints1996: 709 complaints1997: 473 complaints1998: 493 complaints1999: 1,236 complaints2000: 1,227 complaints2001: 729 complaints2002: 413 complaints2003: 140 complaints2004: 155 complaints
Intrepid NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Intrepid years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Intrepid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20642%
Brakes459%
Transmission388%
Electrical System378%
Steering316%
Visibility & Wipers306%
Airbags224%
Speed Control143%
Other122%
Lighting102%
Suspension102%
Body & Structure92%
Seats82%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)61%
Tires & Wheels51%
Fuel System51%
Seat Belts31%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

04V021000TransmissionJanuary 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

03V035000SeatsFebruary 5, 2003 · 1,066,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence

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.

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.

98V049000AirbagsMarch 9, 1998 · 54 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING SOME REQUIRED COMPONENTS.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE IN THESE VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 14, 2010 · fire

“COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY DRIVER MADE A NORMAL STOP AND BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILE/D, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL , RESULTING IN A COLLISION. SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 31, 1999 · crash

“1998, DODGE, INTREPID WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HOUSE. IGNITION OFF, KEY OUT, IN PARK. CAR ROLLED AWAY DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FLOOR SHIFT PARKING INTERLOCK, STRUCK HOUSE DOWN THE STREET. CAR WAS TOTALED. NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHO WILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 11, 2005 · crash

“DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A COIL PACK REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES THEN IT WAS READY TO BE DRIVEN. . ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 10, 2005 · fire

“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES. VEHICLE HIT A TREE. ALSO, STEERING LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER SENDING INSPECTOR TO CHECK VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 26, 2001 · crash

1998 Dodge Intrepid — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Intrepid reliable?

It is close to typical for the Intrepid: 493 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Intrepid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (206 complaints), brakes (45 complaints), transmission (38 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Dodge Intrepid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Dodge Intrepid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Intrepid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Intrepid years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1994, 1995. The cleanest record among Intrepid years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.