DODGE INTREPID · model year

1998 DODGE INTREPID

493 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998DODGEINTREPID carries 493 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 37 crashes, 12 fires, 32 injuries, and 15 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 INTREPID is engine and engine cooling:engine with 111 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (52) and power train:automatic transmission (22). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1998 INTREPID. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

493
Complaints
37
Crashes
12
Fires
32
Injuries
15
Deaths

Total Complaints

493 filings

Crashes Reported

37 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE111
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING52
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM8
STEERING7
AIR BAGS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7

Recent Complaints

20130114SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Mileage: 156,000

20120402SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY HAD BEEN BACK ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

20110906ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE FAILURE CLICKING NOISE POSSIBLE VALVE TRAIN. CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT NO PROPERLY LUBRICATING ENGINE PARTS. *TR

20101118FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE MOTOR FAILED DUE TO THE ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL MIXING TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20100803FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED GASOLINE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTED TO THE FUEL RAIL. THERE WAS ALSO AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,985.

Mileage: 76,945

20090726ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

IN 2007 I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 L ENGINE....NONETHELESS THE ENGINE BLEW. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. IT GAVE NO WARNING THAT THERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF ENGINE TROUBLE. I PAID $6995 FOR THE CAR, IT HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT.....2YRS LATER AT 87,000 IT DIED....LEAVING ME TO PAY THE REST OF THE LOAN OF $2200 ON A CAR THAT JUST SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY!!! *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20090118STEERING

POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ,NO POWER STEERING LEAKS BELTS OK AND NO NOISE UNDER HOOD. *TR

Mileage: 280,000

20081209STEERING

SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEEL LOCKS WHEN TURNED COMPLETELY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. WANDERS ON DRY PAVEMENT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN WET WEATHER. HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE STEERING RACK AND INNER TIE RODS. *TR

Mileage: 122,544

20081022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I BOUGHT A DODGE INTREPID IN APRIL 08. IT HAD 53,000 MILES, IN GREAT CONDITION AND SPOTLESS CARFAX. THE CAR STARTED MAKING PROBLEMS AT 57000 MILES. IT OVERHEATED, SO WE GOT THE RADIATOR FIXED WHICH SOLVED MY PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR SO. AFTER THAT WEEK, WHILE DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY MY ENGINE QUIT ON ME, AND STARTED STEAMING WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THAT HAPPENING WHATSOEVER. NO LIGHTS ON, NO ENGINE OVERHEATING, NOTHING. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR, AND WE DONATED THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

20081013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 DODGE INTREPID WITH 56K MILES N IT IS KNOCKING. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. IT IS THE 2.7 L DOHC AND I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THE ENGINE.*TR

Mileage: 56,000

20081007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

ENGINE PROBLEMS W/SLUDGE DODGE INTREPID W/2.7 ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

20080917ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, RATTLE, MAKE NOISE, AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED LIFTERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20080818CrashSTEERING

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON TO ANOTHER STREET. ONCE MAKING THIS RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL BEING TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE CURB. ONCE STOPPED THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE CORRECTED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES. THE INNER AND OUTER TIRE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION. *TR

20080723ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20080723ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20080529ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CAR STARTING SMOKING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON...CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND STILL SMOKING LOTS. *TR

Mileage: 80,100

20080511ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE A 98 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. I BOUGHT CAR IN JULY 06, CAME WITH 90 DAY WARRANTY. HAD IT TO DEALER WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE FOR "TICKING" NOISE. WAS TOLD WAS "NORMAL LIFTER NOISE". TWO WEEKS AGO, ENGINE BLEW. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGING LIFTERS, PISTONS, ETC. NEED NEW ENGINE AT COST OF MERELY $6,000. OR USED AT $4,000. STILL OWE $4,600 ON CAR. I FEEL TOTALLY RIPPED OFF! I AM PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE. LOST ONE JOB BECAUSE OF NO TRANSPORTATION, AND MAY SOON LOSE SECOND JOB FOR SAME REASON. *TR

Mileage: 87,052

20071213ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS ON VACATION FOR THE WEEKEND IN CANADA, ON THE WAY BACK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT, AND THE KNOCK WAS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE. IT IS ONCE AGAIN A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE, THAT HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2001, AND HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. I EVEN HAD THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS CHANGED JANUARY 2007, BECAUSE I HEARD THESE GO BAD AND RUIN THE ENGINE. I AM A FORMER MECHANIC, WHO REALLY TAKES CARE OF MY VEHICLES. EVERY MECHANIC TOLD ME IN 2001 THAT THESE ENGINES ARE JUNK, AND NOT TO BUY IT, BUT I DIDN'T LISTEN TO THEM. NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

20071208ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VERY LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE OCCURRED THEN THE ENGINE DIED LIFTERS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE COLLAPSED AND KNOCKING STILL OCCURS AND MECHANIC IS NOW CHECKING INTO THE TIMING CHAIN. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

20071208ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES FOR $2,000. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CAR IN AND OUT FOR THE PRICE GREAT CONDITION! I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I START IF UP TO LET IF WARM, IT WAR EXTREMELY LOUD, BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL SINCE IT'S COLD OUT AND IT NEEDED TO WARM. TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT WENT SILENT, AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A !@#$% HIGHWAY AT A RED LIGHT TOO. NO LIGHTS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HARASSING DRIVERS AND GOT IT TO A PARKING LOT WHEN IT STALLED AGAIN RIGHT WHEN I PULLED IN. STARTED IT AGAIN AND PARKED IT. CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS BONE DRY. I BOUGHT AND PUT PLENTY OF OIL IN IT LET IT RUN DROVE A LITTLE AND IT WORKED GREAT. DROVE HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS NOW SITTING IN TOWN UNTIL I HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. NICE CAR INSIDE AND OUT!!!! DANGEROUSLY SHOTTY AMERICAN MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 1998DODGEINTREPID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 DODGE INTREPID have?
The 1998 DODGE INTREPID has 493 NHTSA complaints, 37 crashes, 12 fires, 32 injuries, and 15 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 DODGE INTREPID?
The most-complained component for the 1998 DODGE INTREPID is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 111 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1998 DODGE INTREPID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.