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1998 Dodge Intrepid problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Dodge Intrepid is engine and cooling, typically around 87,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Intrepid model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
376
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
155
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
20-22mpg
Typical repair
$5,000

The worst 1998 Dodge Intrepid problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge Intrepid

Engine failure 88Stalling 39Knocking 32Check engine light 19No deployment 10Loss of power 10Fire or smoke 8Transmission failure 8Adaptive cruise 7Won't shift 7Won't start 7Headlights 6Oil consumption 6Overheating 6Power windows 6Ball joint 5Power steering loss 5Sudden acceleration 5

Recalls 3

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported January 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
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.

Recall number 04V021000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: reclinerReported February 5, 2003 · 1,066,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly.
Risk
If the seat back unexpectedly reclines while the car is being driven, it could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the recliner bolts. Owner notification began on april 23, 2003. 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 daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 03V035000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported March 9, 1998 · 54 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicle. Some passenger air bag module assemblies are missing some required components.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bags would not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury to the passenger seat occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the air bag module in these vehicles.

Recall number 98V049000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid

Defect investigations

Auto trans ignition-park interlockOpened July 17, 2003, closed January 30, 2004

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 mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an elderly person who attempted to stop a roll away vehicle and received fatal injuries.odi also gathered information on my 1997-99 prowler vehicles in this investigation. The prowler vehicles were manufactured with a different design shifter mechanism (the shift lever is shorter).there are no complaints of prowler interlock failure in odi?s database, and dc has received no reports either.the prowler is excluded from the recall scope.the investigation involved a condition where the interlock system could fail (or be made inoperative by the operator) during vehicle use, possibly inadvertently.the interlock system is required under fmvss 114.with the transmission in the park position and the ignition key off, the combined action of pressing the shift button and pulling the shift lever rearward may result in the operator overcoming the interlock system and cause the mechanical linkage of the system to disconnect.when this occurs, there is no overt indication to an operator that the system is defeated, and an increased risk of vehicle roll-away exists.under recall 04v021, dc will replace damaged shift mechanisms, and will install on all vehicles a device which inhibits the operator?s ability to overcome the interlock and defeat the system.beginning with my 2000, dc incorporated a brake and transmission shifter interlock (btsi) system into the subject vehicles.introduction of btsi involved design changes to the shift mechanism, one of which resulted in reduced mechanical advantage (rma) of the shift button.the rma shifter requires increased forces to overcome the interlock system, making the shifter less susceptible to damage.

EA03011

Throttle control failureOpened February 27, 2003, closed September 2, 2003

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 closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. See attached report for additional information.

PE03010

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid 155

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 155 bulletins for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid

1998 Dodge Intrepid fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.7L 6‑cylFWD182822
3.2L 6‑cylFWD172620

What 1998 Dodge Intrepid owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 14, 2013 · Brakes · 156,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2012 · Brakes · 94,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Engine · MO

Engine failure clicking noise possible valve train. Consuming large amounts of oil but no properly lubricating engine parts.

Filed Nov 18, 2010 · Engine · IA · fire

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2010 · Fuel system · 76,945 miles · NV

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.

Filed Jul 26, 2009 · Engine · 87,000 miles · PA

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!!!

Filed Jan 18, 2009 · Steering · 280,000 miles · 00

Power steering feels like there is no power steering ,no power steering leaks belts ok and no noise under hood.

Filed Dec 9, 2008 · Steering · 122,544 miles · WA

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.

Filed Oct 22, 2008 · Engine · 58,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Oct 13, 2008 · Engine · 56,000 miles · WI

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.

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Questions about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid

Is the 1998 Dodge Intrepid reliable?

Owners have filed 376 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid, close to a typical Intrepid model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Intrepid?

Engine and cooling, with 198 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles. Next is brakes (40).

How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid have?

3 recalls, covering power train, seats and air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Dodge Intrepid get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Dodge Intrepid range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.7L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 28 highway.

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