RoadVitals

1994 Dodge Intrepid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
718
Latest Mar 18, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jan 13, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
71
46 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 718 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge Intrepid, most frequently naming the transmission, fuel system and steering categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 14 NHTSA investigations name it; and 79 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Jan 13, 2004
2,315,768 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number C45View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Aug 9, 1999
402,830 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BRACKETS CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION HALF-SHAFT COULD PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE ENGINE CRADLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 837View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Aug 6, 1998
722,600 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP04007ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS

Opened Oct 13, 2004
Closed Oct 27, 2004

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED ON JULY 8, 2002 WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER ACTION BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.VERY RECENTLY, ON JUNE 9, 2004, NHTSA DENIED A PETITION (RP04-001) TO REOPEN RQ98-018 AFTER FINDING THAT THERE WAS NO NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY BASIS FOR REOPENING IT.THIS IS STILL THE CURRENT POSITION OF NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE.CONCERNING BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION AND FRAME ALIGNMENT, A REVIEW OF NHTSA'S DATABASE SHOWS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON EITHER ONE OF THESE ISSUES ON THE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
EA03011ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

Opened Jul 17, 2003
Closed Jan 30, 2004

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 04V021000
DP03002ClosedDefect Petition

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

Opened May 7, 2003
Closed Jul 22, 2003

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

STEERING:COLUMN
EA99031ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION

Opened Oct 29, 1999
Closed Sep 13, 2001

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Mar 18, 2021

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I STARTED SMELLING GAS. THE FUEL RAIL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING BY THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT INJECTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT IT AND THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. YEARS LATER IT STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. APPARENTLY THE RECALL KIT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE, EVENTUALLY THE FUEL RAIL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY START LEAKING AGAIN WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE IF NOT FIXED. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SHOP AND AM STILL WAITING FOR A REPAIR KIT FROM CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ID
11403689
Incident
Mar 15, 2021
Mileage
142,483 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING. THE CONTACT PATCHED THE LEAK HIMSELF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 01/25/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LEAK WAS LOCATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CROSSOVER TUBE FOR THE FUEL RAILS. HE FIRST NOTICED THE ODOR OF FUEL ON NOVEMBER 13, 2088. BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WAS FINALLY OBVIOUS WHEN IT STARTED TO SPRAY LATER IN 2099. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER COVERED THE TUBING INTERFACE WITH JB WELD BLACK/RED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE LEAK. HOWEVER, THE FITTING LEAKED AGAIN WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN, AND WAS INFORMED A NEW FUEL RAIL WOULD COST $480. THE CONSUMER STATED A FRIEND INFORMED HIM THERE WAS A RECALL PERTAINING TO OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES AND THE 93 DODGE INTREPID. UPDATED 01/27/12 *BF UPDATED 02/01/12

NHTSA ID
10442153
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 31, 2010

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN ITSELF WHEN DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS LEAD TO US TAKING IT TO A TIRE SHOP AND WE WERE TOLD THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION AND THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIRE ROD WERE GONE OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS SO BAD ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE BUSHINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. WE ALMOST LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE TWICE BEFORE WE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE EXTREME PULL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS AND THE TIRE ROD BUSHINGS AND TIGHTENED THE TIRE ROD BOLTS. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION FOR US AND WE WERE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILD. THIS WAS ALSO A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10303429
Incident
Dec 10, 2009
Mileage
175,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 7, 2009

REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE FATIGUED AND SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. SUPPORT ARM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WEAKENED BY RUST CORROSION, APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE CORROSION RESISTANCE. INSPECTION OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ARM APPEARS TO BE WEAKENED FROM RUST CORROSION AS WELL AND MOST LIKELY WILL FAIL FROM FATIGUE TOO. CONCERN THAT FAILURE OCCURS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286700
Incident
Oct 7, 2009
Mileage
15,148 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000. UPDATED 2/2/09 *CN UPDATED 02/04/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10253051
Incident
Dec 24, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 23, 2008
Crash reported

TIE ROD BUSHING BOLT AT THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD TO THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT IN THE SUBJECT VERHICLE (1994 DODGE INTREPID) ES ON RIGHT FRONT INTER BUSHING BOLT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246568
Incident
Apr 16, 2004
Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2008

I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID AND I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION BECAUSE MY STEERING WAS TIGHT. I REPLACED IT BUT THE CAR IS STILL MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE AT A RED LIGHT. IT IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243808
Incident
Sep 27, 2008
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 16, 2008

I HAVE A 1994 DODGE INTREPID ES, THE VEHICLE IS GOING INTO GEAR AND POPPING OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242507
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
Mileage
170,286 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

23-014-15

EQUIPMENT

Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no longer supported with OEM retrofit kits. NOTE: Dealers are encouraged to honor any customers? request for the installation of the Child Seat Tether Anchors and Dealer reimbursement will be made by FCA US LLC regardless of vehicle age or mileage. See the Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual and/or Warranty Bulletin D-08-33 for reimbursement detail.

1802002

FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC

0700202

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING LOW OR NO CABIN HEAD, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM SYSTEM FILL PROCEDURE. *TT

0900801

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT REGARDING CAMSHAFT / BEARING SERVICE. *TT

0801001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Intrepid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20041292050.0
20031062155.3
20023293154.6
20016565159.6
20001,0659158.1
19999976258.6
19983775261.7
19973442461.2
19965052560.6
19955893963.8
1994Viewing71841463.5
199340851061.7
1992200
1988200
1987100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.