1997 Dodge Intrepid: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 16, 2007 · Lights, Seats · 95,000 miles · UT · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Lights · LA

Dt: the headlightseere made out of plastic and the outer shell was yellow. Had a hard time seeing when raining. Noticed many dodge vehicles withthe same problem.

Filed Jun 9, 2005 · Lights · 92,000 miles · MO

Acrylic headlight covers have become yellowed and cloudy, resulting in diminished brightness of headlights at night and in dark weather conditions.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Lights · 5,000 miles · KY

Rain storm driving at night poor headlighting almost caused me to run off the road,lighting has always been a problem ,no recall to fix the problem either.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Electrical · 105,450 miles · GA

I kept smelling something hot when the headlights were on. When the low beams quit working, I removed the cover from the steering column since that is where the smell seemed to originate and it often felt hot. I found the wire to the low beam terminal of the dimmer switch had overheated burning off about an inch of insulation and damaging both the switch and the connector on the wiring harness. I have purchased a new switch and am preparing to repair the connector.

Filed Dec 4, 2003 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · CT

The last couple of months the headlights would go out without warning. Upon clicking the high beam switch they would come back on. Intermittent wipers starting not working also. High beam switch stopped working (not staying in place) day prior to meltdown. While driving home on 11/22/03 there was a smell of something burning. I checked under hood and around outside of car when I got home. Smelled nothing outside. Got back in car and at that point the headlights would not work. Brought car to mechanic and the inside of the steering column (module for high beam/signal/wiper and wiring harness) completely melted. I don't believe there was any fire. Please check into this.

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Lights · IN

At night when headlights are on headlights will completely goout without warning. There was a malfunction in windshield wiper switch. Switch has been replaced 4 times. Please provide any further information.

Filed Jun 10, 2002 · Lights · KY

These headlight are pathetic for a 1997 vehicle! They are not bright enough, especially on high beam. Not safe to drive at night in rural areas. My old 1984 firebird headlights are much better!!! Also, the lenses are clouded, not clear but wasn't much better before they were clouded. Dodge should remedy this somehow.

Filed Jul 25, 2001 · Lights · MD · fire

Multi function switch located on left side of steering collar that controls turn signals, high/low beam selection ,and wiper blades has failed for the third time. The orignal switch was replaced by the dealer at a cost of 197.00 dollars on 21 jan 2000. 14 months later the switch failed again, part replaced on 6 march 2001 at a cost of 228.00 dollars with another serive center. 16 months later, again the switch has failed- awaiting repair. These switch failures result in a smoldering fire inside the steering colum resulting in smoke risinf from the left side of the steerng column. This is a serious safety hazard. Failure causes headlights to intermittantly go out during night driving, turn signals fail to work , and wiper blades are inoperable. To preclude complete destruction of wiring harness, fuses were pulled negating use of the previously mentioned controls.

Filed Jan 4, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · AZ

I have had to replace the transmission. The inside interior dash and overhead light come on and off when they want to. The dash flashes, when I open the doors sometimes the lights come on and sometimes they don't. The headlights automatic timer when shut off doesn't always work. The right axel on the passingers side needs to be replaces very lose. Automatic locks for the 2 back doors don't work.

Filed May 25, 1999 · Lights, Steering · NY

Sun roof- problem existed at time of sale, dealer aware that parts were defective and no replacements available. Still not fixed as of 5/24/1999. Car drifted to the left on flat roads and crowned highways-right lane. Drift was severe. Full lane change within 300 ft or less. Dealer response- all components set to manufacturer's specs. Nothing he can do. Last trip in march 1999 dealer noticed wear on tires and rotated them. Also ordered power steering pump and a steering idler arm. Car does not drift anymore. Front end has had a vibration from day 1. Dealer can't seem to notice it of find out the cause. Changed tires, rotated tires, checked on brake discs, etc. Still no full solution. Vibration is less the first noticed but still present at 5/24/99. Some was corrected 12/08/1997, more remains. Lights do not seem to be bright enough or the throw pattern is wrong. Leaves blind, bark areas in front of car especially the high beams. Dealer response: lights are set according to specs. They seem to throw lights more upward-short range and to the sides. Oncoming traffic complaints.

Filed Apr 8, 1999 · Lights · AL

Headlights do not operate properly on bright beam. When put on dim beam consumer can see a little better. Dealer contacted and repairwork has been done. Problem still exists. Dealer states nothing else can be done to remedy the problem.