1997 Dodge Intrepid Owner Complaints

THE PRESSURE ON MY FUEL RAIL DOES NOT HOLD SO THAT MEANS A LEAK.IF I ASK FIRST CHRYSLER ANY THING THEY SAY NO RECALLS.I KNOW BETTER 98V184000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705117

Incident

Apr 18, 2013

HARD STARTING LEAKING FUEL RAIL 3.5. *TR

NHTSA ID

10684149

Incident

Feb 7, 2013

I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 1500$ THE INSPECTION RAN OUT AT THE END OF THAT MONTH, INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED AS A "LICKEM STICKEM" THE CAR 2 WEEKS LATER WAS DETERMINED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAZARDOUS TO PUBLIC SAFETY, CAR WAS LEFT AT PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR TWO (2) WEEKS IN WHICH TIME NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE CAR REMAINS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NOT RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468795

Incident

Jul 14, 2012

Mileage

169,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT REVERSED AND DROVE OVER A TWO INCH BEAM. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE CONTROL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V215000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE RECALL HOWEVER, WAS ONLY ISSUED FOR THE 2004 MODEL DODGE INTREPID AND NOT THE 1997 MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

NHTSA ID

10459877

Incident

May 21, 2012

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, TIRE RODS, SWAY BAR BUSHING AND MOTOR MOUNTS WORE PREMATURELY AND NEEDED CONSTANT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10436762

Incident

Feb 1, 2008

Mileage

98,000 mi

RACK AND PINION / STEERING ISSUES IN 1997 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER JUST DRIVING 65-70 ON THE I-15 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, I FELT AN ODD VIBRATION AND PULL IN THE STEERING OF THE 1997 DODGE INTREPID I WAS DRIVING. EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT END SENT A POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS STUCK IN A RIGHT TURN POSITION DURING ANY POSITION SET ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE REMAINED INTACT AND NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10389884

Incident

Mar 11, 2011

Mileage

186,112 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING 10 MPH, THERE WAS SHAKING SENSATION ACCOMPANIED BY DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE DEALERS TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WOULD COST $1000.00 TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,890.

NHTSA ID

10266525

Incident

Nov 14, 2008

Mileage

95,700 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INOPERATIVE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BOLT IN THE KIT OFFERED BY THE DEALER HAS A SMALLER HEAD AND AN IMPROPER LOCKING PAD THAT WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO A FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 222,000.

NHTSA ID

10253607

Incident

Dec 26, 2008

Mileage

222,000 mi

1997 DODGE INTREPID-169,610 MILES > > I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 1-1/2 YEARS WITH LESS THAN > 3,500 MILES DRIVEN. > > TODAY ON MARCH 16, 2008 AT 1:15PM, I CAME BACK TO > COLLEGE FROM SPRING BREAK. I NOTICED THAT I WAS 29 > MILES AWAY FROM THE COLLEGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL > STARTED TO JERK TO THE RIGHT AND MOVE ON ITS OWN. I > TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT AND HAD TO > FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN AND MOVE WHERE I NEED TO GO. > > > THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER MADE NOISES AS I WAS > DRIVING > TODAY, BUT I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL > HARD TO MAKE A TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I > TRIED TO PARK, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND, SO I HAD > TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN AND STILL DID NOT WORK. > I'M NOW TRAPPED IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE I'M NOT > SURE THAT I'M SAFE ON THE ROAD. > > I'M LOCATED IN SOUTHFIELD, MI AND IN 8 WEEKS, I NEED > TO DRIVE BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN (APPROXIMATELY 312 > MILES, 7-9 HOURS). INCIDENT TWO I WAS 4 MILES AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND NOTICED THAT I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS. AS I WAS FORCING THE WHEEL TO CORPORATE A TRUCK WAS TO MY RIGHT AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR AS THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT. CAUSING ME TO HIT THE TRUNK FROM MY FRONT RIGHT TO THE PASSENGER TIRE. NOW MY ENGINE IS HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT DEAL WITH ONE OF THE CYLINDERS NOT RESPONDING AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY IF IDLED FOR SECONDS AND MOVING SOMETIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, MY STEERING STILL DIDN'T WORK SO COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT HELP AND MY CAR BLOCKED SEVERAL CARS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1400 IN KEEPING THE ENGINE FROM COLLAPSING TO THE GROUND AFTER THE INCIDENT, A PART THAT KEEPS THE CAR FROM FLIPPING OVER WHEN TURNING. I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10221382

Incident

Mar 16, 2008

Mileage

11 mi

PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HESITANT ON TURNS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT TO HAYWARD DODGE REPAIR THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A $4500.00 OF REPAIR THIS IS ALONG WITH SOME OTHER THINGS THEY SAY IS WRONG WITH THE VECH. THEY DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE MAIN PROBLEM OF THE STEERING . ALSO AFTER I PICKED UP THE VECH. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY & MY HOOD FLEW OPEN & CAME THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS CHARGED $135.00 FOR THIS 21 POINT INSPECTION. WITH MY HOOD &WINSHIELD DAMAGED I WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE MGR.TOLD ME TO TAKE HIM TO COURT THEY WONT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219402

Incident

Feb 12, 2008

RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE ON OUR 1997 DODGE INTREPID WITH NO WARNING WHILE IT WAS BEING BACKED UP, IT WAS TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THANK GOODNESS WE HAD ALREADY MADE IT TO OUR DESTINATION AND THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WE HEADED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND IS STILL PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL I CAN GET SOME INFO ON WHY THIS HAPPENED, AND HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT A DEFECT, BUT THE MORE I LOOK INTO IT THE MORE I SEE IT AS THE NORM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES BUT ALSO FOR ANYONE IN THEIR PATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215982

Incident

Jan 15, 2008

Mileage

165,000 mi

WARMED UP CAR BEFORE GOING TO WORK WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. GOT OUT TO LEAVE AND COULD SMELL GASOLINE EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS OPERATIONAL AND GOT ME TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212520

Incident

Dec 18, 2007

Mileage

135,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE ITS PURCHASE REQUIRING REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE. THE LATEST BEING A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO A FAILURE IN THE WIRING CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS ON 2 OCCASIONS. REPLACEMENT OF THE FAN HARNESS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT WILL SHORT OUT AND BURN THE CONNECTION AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10206760

Incident

Aug 28, 2007

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. ON AUGUST 8, 2007, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE KEY FELL FROM THE IGNITION. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 04V021000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,000.

NHTSA ID

10198937

Incident

Aug 8, 2007

Mileage

147,000 mi

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE SWITCH IS OFF, IT WILL ALSO TURN OFF WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BECOMING IN-OPERABLE & NO VISIBILITY! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR, IN THE POURING RAIN WHEN THEY STOPPED ON ME! AIR CONDITIONER) WHENEVER WE START UP THE CAR, A MILDEW SMELL COMES OUT OF THE VENTS. THIS COULD BE A HEALTH HAZZARD FOR PEOPLE WITH LUNG PROBLEMS. (FUEL) WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WE SMELL FUEL & THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CAR SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE FUEL GAUGE SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE, ONE MOMENT IT REGISTERS IT HAS A 1/3 TANK, NEXT MOMENT IT SAYS YOU ONLY HAVE A 1/16 OF A TANK! THIS CAR IS CURSED AND IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! *AK

NHTSA ID

10196536

Incident

Jun 1, 2003

Mileage

95,000 mi

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY'RE OCCASIONALLY HARD. FRONT END WILL DIP, CAR SLOWLY SLOWS DOWN, WON'T COME TO A STOP SOON ENOUGH. I HAD BARELY STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT A LIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY WERE HARD, BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE. CAUSING ME TO REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH. (SPARK PLUG WIRES) ABOUT EVERY 12,000 MILES WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG WIRES DUE TO THE 2ND CYLINDER WIRE BEING BURNT FROM THE ENGINE. A SIMPLE GUARD COULD FIX THIS PROBLEM! IF NOT, A FIRE COULD RESULT! (SEATS/SEAT BELTS) THE SEATS WILL LEAN BACK SLIGHTLY & UNEXPECTEDLY, COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT! THE SEAT BELTS DON'T SEEM TO STAY TIGHT AROUND THE WAIST. THE SEAT BELT SITS TOO HIGH OFF THE LAP. IF IN AN ACCIDENT, I WAS AFRAID I WOULD SLIDE UNDER THE BELT BECAUSE IT'S SO LOOSE! I WOULDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME, MY SPOUSE OR ANY OF MY CHILDREN. HEAD LIGHTS) THESE LIGHTS ARE PATHETIC! THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, SOMETIMES WON'T COME ON AT ALL MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GO ANYWHERE! THEY ARE VERY DIM & THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ABOUT WORTHLESS BECAUSE THE BEAM IS TOO MUCH TO THE SIDES OR UP TOO HIGH. VISIBILITY ISN'T VERY FAR AND IT'S TOO SCARY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE DIM LIGHTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10196535

Incident

Mar 1, 2007

Mileage

95,000 mi

I HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON VEHICLE LAST YEAR AT MARTIN DODGE IN BOWLING GREEN, KY. AFTER GETTING THE SERVICES RENDERED I NOTICED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. ONE WAS THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE NO LONGER OPERABLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST SECOND GEAR AND WOULD MISS GEARS REPEATEDLY, AND ABS BRAKES FAILED. ALSO NOTICED THAT SUSPENSION WAS WORSE AFTER THEY PERFORMED SUSPENSION RECALLS. I HAVE TRIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ONLY SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT MY COST, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS EXISTED AFTER GETTING THE RECALLS FIXED. I INCURRED COURT COST OF $166.00 BECAUSE OF IMPROPER EQUIPMENT AND THE BUY, HERE, PAY HERE LOT WAS REQUESTING $2,280 FOR A CAR THAT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO JUNK IT BECAUSE NO BEING ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION FOR THE ROAD. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO AID IN ME ABSORBING THE COST OF THIS SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10194912

Incident

Sep 7, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID THAT HE TOOK TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM. AT THE REPAIR FACILITY, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE AND TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 98V184000. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 01/05/07, WHEN HE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 01/15/07 THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE LABOR, BUT NOT THE PART. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN REGARDS OF THE PART NOT BEING COVERED WHO STATED THAT IT WAS UP TO THE DEALER TO DECIDE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF INVOICE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT LEAKING FUEL. UPDATED. *JB UPDATED 2/15/2007 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10179025

Incident

Jan 5, 2007

Mileage

102,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER WORK IN MY 97 DODGE INTREPID, MY ENGINE FAILED. MY MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAD NO SIGNS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ID

10172125

Incident

Oct 5, 2006

Mileage

101,000 mi

1997 DODGE INTREPID, INNER TIE ROD BUSHING FAILED WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO GET FRONT END ALIGNMENT, I WAS TOLD THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACING. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE BUSHING NOW. I HAVE FOUND ONE BUSHING COMPLETELY GONE EXCEPT FOR THE METEL BUSHING PART, AND THE OTHER NEARLY AS BAD, SUSPECT IT WOULD BE TOTALLY GONE IN ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO.

NHTSA ID

10171797

Incident

Oct 23, 2006

Mileage

36,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, UPON ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANT'S PURSE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE COLUMN GEAR SHIFT ALLOWING THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN AN INCLINE WHERE A BYSTANDER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V021000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10168748

Incident

Sep 19, 2006

Mileage

108,766 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED ON TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE O RINGS WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE OIL SENDING UNITS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 98V184000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10167696

Incident

Sep 7, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

IN THE FALL OF 2005,THE BUSHINGS ON THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. ON JULY 10 2006,MY WIFE BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO STREET,BUT COULD NOT GO EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALL QUOTED $1460.00 AND CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO DEALER. DEALER QUOTED $1460.00 TO REPLACE STEERING RACK & RODS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10162082

Incident

Jul 10, 2006

Mileage

71,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE REAR STRUTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR END. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS ALERTED, BUT DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10158847

Incident

Jun 2, 2006

Mileage

139,092 mi

WE STARTED NOTICING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN OUR CAR AND BAD FUEL ECONOMY. THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT IT WAS MAKING US SICK AFTER BEING IN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 15-20 MINUTES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT THE "FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING AND THE FUEL INJECTION O-RINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO". THE SHOP CANNOT GET THE PARTS DUE TO A SHORTAGE. THEY SAID THAT THE PARTS ARE ONLY BEING USED FOR "SAFETY ISSUES FOR DEALERS FIRST". SO NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE NEED OUR CAR AND IT COULD POSSIBLY CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND WE CANNOT GET IT FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10146302

Incident

Dec 28, 2005

Mileage

124,700 mi