NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Dodge Intrepid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Dodge Intrepid has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 343 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Dodge Intrepid owner complaints

Owners have filed 343 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, describing incidents dated August 1, 1996 to April 18, 2013.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 80 complaints
Steering 59 complaints
Engine 53 complaints
Power Train 51 complaints
Electrical System 27 complaints
Suspension 22 complaints

Of the 343 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 26 a fire; across all 343 complaints, owners report 20 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10705117 · Filed April 11, 2015
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
ODI #10684149 · Filed February 18, 2015
HARD STARTING LEAKING FUEL RAIL 3.5. *TR
ODI #10468795 · Filed August 1, 2012
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…

Read all 343 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Dodge Intrepid in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP04-007: FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS
Closed October 27, 2004
Recall Petition RP04-001: REMEDY FAILURES OF RECALL 98V-184
Closed June 22, 2004
Engineering Analysis EA03-011: AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Closed January 30, 2004
- Recall 04V-021
Recall Query RQ98-018: FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAK
Closed July 8, 2002
- Recall 98V-184

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION-PARK INTERLOC

NHTSA #04V021000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Floor Shift · NHTSA notice

Reported January 13, 2004 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 2,315,768 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign C45 · Owners notified June 14, 2004 · Vehicles built April 1, 1992 – July 31, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. C45.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

CHRYSLER/FUEL LEAKAGE

NHTSA #98V184000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 6, 1998 · CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 722,600 vehicles

Owners notified January 11, 1999 · Vehicles built June 1, 1992 – July 31, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING JANUARY 1999. 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 CHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1997 Dodge Intrepid 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

343 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10705117

Incident: April 18, 2013 · Filed: April 11, 2015

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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10684149

Incident: February 7, 2013 · Filed: February 18, 2015

HARD STARTING LEAKING FUEL RAIL 3.5. *TR

Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #10468795

Incident: July 14, 2012 · Filed: August 1, 2012

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

Suspension

ODI #10459877

Incident: May 21, 2012 · Filed: May 29, 2012

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.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10436762

Incident: February 1, 2008 · Filed: November 22, 2011

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.

Steering

ODI #10389884

Incident: March 11, 2011 · Filed: March 11, 2011

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

Suspension

ODI #10266525

Incident: November 14, 2008 · Filed: April 23, 2009

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.

Steering

ODI #10253607

Incident: December 26, 2008 · Filed: January 2, 2009

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.

Steering; Suspension; Engine and Engine Cooling; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10221382

Crash

Incident: March 16, 2008 · Filed: March 16, 2008

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

Steering

ODI #10219402

Incident: February 12, 2008 · Filed: February 28, 2008

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

Other Dodge Intrepid model years

Check your 1997 Dodge Intrepid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Intrepid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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