VehicleVerdict

1999 Dodge Intrepid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,236 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Intrepid year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 15 Intrepid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 37 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 58% of all reports (720 of 1,236), far ahead of transmission at 98.

1,236

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

54

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

37

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Intrepid years?

Intrepid NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Intrepid years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Dodge Intrepid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine72058%
Transmission988%
Electrical System635%
Steering595%
Visibility & Wipers534%
Brakes363%
Speed Control302%
Airbags232%
Suspension222%
Other212%
Lighting192%
Body & Structure181%
Seat Belts171%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)171%
Seats151%
Fuel System101%
Tires & Wheels91%
Latches & Locks60%

Does the 1999 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?

6 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.

01V119000Seat BeltsApril 11, 2001 · 161,682 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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.

00V034000Seat BeltsFebruary 4, 2000 · 204,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence

THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A STOMACH INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 31, 2014 · fire

“WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE UNLESS DRIVER WIGGLES GEAR SHIFT. THEN VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE ALL OF A SUDDEN. DEALER HAS SEEN SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCES THE GEAR SHIFT MALFUNCTIONING ALL THE TIME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 5, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND CUT IGNITION OFF. RIGHT AFTERWARDS SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND UNDER THE DASH BROAD. THERE WAS A FIRE, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 16, 2000 · fire

“THE FRONT POWER WINDOWS FELL DOWN WITHOUT USING THE CONTROLS. *NLM THERE WERE FUSE/WIRING SHORTAGES, HEADLIGHT/INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKERED WITHOUT WARNING, THE BELTS, MAIN POWER TRAIN, A/C BELT, AND THE COMPRESSOR CAUGHT FIRE AND THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. *SCC THE DOORS DID NOT CLOSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 2002 · fire

“THE FRONT POWER WINDOWS FELL DOWN WITHOUT USING THE CONTROLS. *NLM THERE WERE FUSE/WIRING SHORTAGES, HEADLIGHT/INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKERED WITHOUT WARNING, THE BELTS, MAIN POWER TRAIN, A/C BELT, AND THE COMPRESSOR CAUGHT FIRE AND THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. *SCC THE DOORS DID NOT CLOSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 2002 · fire

1999 Dodge Intrepid — common questions

Is the 1999 Dodge Intrepid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,236 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 15 Intrepid years. It is one of the Intrepid years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Intrepid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (720 complaints), transmission (98 complaints), electrical system (63 complaints).

Does the 1999 Dodge Intrepid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Dodge Intrepid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 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.