1998 Dodge Intrepid

377 federal complaints (493 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 2 federal investigations · 154 service bulletins
See all 15 model years of the Dodge Intrepid →
Engine
2.7L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
18 city / 28 hwy
Federal complaints
377
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Engine & cooling
206
Brakes
45
Power train
38
Electrical system
34
Steering
31
Glass & wipers
30
Air bags
22
Speed control
14
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Engine & cooling

206 complaint records4 fire reports1 crash report
"ENGINE FAILURE, TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON INTERSTATE. OBTAINED NEW TIMING CHAIN BUT ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. TOTAL LOSS. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Brakes

45 complaint records2 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING 1MPH, THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Power train

38 complaint records5 crash reports
"TRANSMISSION HAS NOT SEATED INTO PARK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION NO MATTER WHERE THE SHIFT LEVER IS...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA03011
opened Jul 2003
closed Jan 2004Power TrainAUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK - led to recall 04V021000
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...
PE03010
opened Feb 2003
closed Sep 2003Vehicle Speed ControlTHROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
04V021000Power TrainON 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.Normally free
03V035000SeatsON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.Normally free
98V049000Air BagsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING SOME REQUIRED COMPONENTS.Normally free

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
9004275
Jul 2020
Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms.
08-049-20
Apr 2020
EquipmentCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
31-006-19
Nov 2019
StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-003-19
Nov 2019
EquipmentUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-005-19
Nov 2019
EquipmentUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100619
Nov 2019
StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100319
Nov 2019
StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100519
Nov 2019
StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
68332810
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingService - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2.
R2118796A
Feb 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
23-014-15
Apr 2015
EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability.
2400204
Jul 2004
EquipmentAIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER PERFORMANCE. *TT
2304702
May 2004
StructureINTERIOR FRONT DOOR HANDLE/BEZEL REPLACEMENT. *MJ
0900204
Jan 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSHORT DURATION COLD ENGINE START-UP TICKING LIKE SOUND. THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2003. *MN
0900503
Nov 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSHORT DURATION COLD ENGINE START-UP TICKING LIKE SOUND. *TT
2301103
May 2003
StructureSAG OR RATTLE AT REAR OF HEADLINER. *TT
0900203
Mar 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE STUMBLE AND/OR MISFIRE - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION. *TT
2500102A
Sep 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0442, P0455, OR P0456 - LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP), LEAK DETECTED. THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES 25-001-02 DATED FEB 11, 2002. *TT
1802302
Aug 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingCONCERNS WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION WITH A CATALYST EFFICIENCY FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC P0420) RECORDED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT
1802002
Jun 2002
Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
2301502
Apr 2002
VisibilitySUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *SLC
2200102
Mar 2002
Unknown Or OtherCHROME WHEEL CARE. *SLC
0700202
Feb 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT REGARDING LOW OR NO CABIN HEAD, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM SYSTEM FILL PROCEDURE. *TT
2302701
Sep 2001
VisibilitySUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *TT
2301901
Aug 2001
SeatsSOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POWER SEAT ADJUSTER LOOSE FORE/AFT.*SLC
2400901
Aug 2001
VisibilitySUBJECT PERTAINING TO A/C HEATER PERFORMANCE.*SLC
01015
Jul 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingADVANCE SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING A NO-START CONDITION WHICH MAY EXIST FOLLOWING A HOT SOAK. *TT
0801001
May 2001
Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT
1801201
May 2001
EquipmentSUBJECT REGARDING GENERIC SCAN TOOL (GST), PUBLICATION NO. 81-170-00008 PROVIDED WITH THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROVIDE REFERENCE INFORMATION WHEN USING GENERIC SCAN TOOL ON OBDII VEHICLES. *TT
1900101
Mar 2001
SteeringSOME OWNERS MAY EXPERIENCE LOOSE FEEL OR CLUNK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE WHEEL IS MOVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *TT

Showing 30 of 154 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  2. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  3. Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Dodge Intrepid →