1997 Dodge Intrepid problems & reliability
344 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
14 complaints report injuries (22 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 79 | 23% |
| Steering → | 61 | 18% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 53 | 15% |
| Power Train → | 53 | 15% |
| Electrical System → | 29 | 8% |
| Suspension → | 23 | 7% |
| Visibility → | 23 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 20 | 6% |
| Air Bags → | 18 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 16 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 93,000 miles (middle 50% between 67,850 and 107,527 miles), based on 75 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 System, Gasoline · filed Apr 11, 2015
“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…”
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · filed Aug 1, 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…”
Suspension · filed May 29, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS
Defect Petition DP04007 · opened Oct 13, 2004 · closed Oct 27, 2004
- REMEDY FAILURES OF RECALL 98V-184
Investigation RP04001 · opened Mar 1, 2004 · closed Jun 22, 2004
- AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Engineering Analysis EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004 · led to recall 04V021000
- FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAK
Recall Query RQ98018 · opened Oct 7, 1998 · closed Jul 8, 2002 · led to recall 98V184000
Technical service bulletins
84 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The 10 most recent:
Charging 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…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use 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.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use 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.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
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…
23-014-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2015
Flash programming failure recovery. *slc
1802002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2002
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Dodge Intrepid has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Dodge Intrepid?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 93,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.