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Research · Large Cars

1996 Dodge IntrepidRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 515 owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid. Most complaints involve steering (147) and engine and engine cooling (79). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2004
Owner complaints
515
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: floor shift

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jan 13, 2004NHTSA 04V021000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 6, 1998NHTSA 98V184000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

515 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1996 – Jan 2016
  1. Steering147
  2. Engine and engine cooling79
  3. Fuel system, gasoline77
  4. Power train43
  5. Suspension41
  6. Air bags34
  7. Electrical system31
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic30
  9. Exterior lighting21

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Intrepid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996515
1997350
1998376
19991,044
20001,089
2001656
2002340
2003106
2004129
Crashes reported
33
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

147 reports2 crashes
“ON 15MAR12 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED WHILE LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL, THE STEERING STILL FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2012SteeringODI 10451880

Engine and engine cooling

79 reports3 crashes3 fires
“REPEATED OVERHEATING PROBLEMS RESULTED IN REPLACING MY RADIATOR TWO TIMES, THERMOSTAT THREE TIMES AND THERMOSTAT W/ BREATHER HOUSING TWO TIMES. COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES EXTERNAL METAL PIPES WHICH HELP CIRCULATE COOLANT TO HEATER. THE PIPES ARE HIDDEN FROM CLEAR VIEW AND WHEN MINE SPRUNG LEAKS DUE TO THEIR PLACEMENT THE LEAKS WERE DIAGNOSED AS BEING BLOWN HEAD/HEAD GASKET BY THREE SEPARATE SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF PIPES SOLVED OVERHEATING. MOISTURE GETS TRAPPED IN AND AROUND THE FRAME AND SUBFRAME AREAS WHERE THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE LOCATED AND ALLOWS FOR UNNECESSARY PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF ALL THE MOUNTS, BUSHINGS, MAIN FRAME AND SUBFRAME. THIS HIDDEN CONDITION HAS RESULTED IN ALL MOUNTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION DROPPING, FRONT INNER&OUTER TIE RODS AND BUSHINGS GOING OUT, RACK N PINION PROBLEMS AND THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSING. DOCUMENTED RECORDS SHOW THAT FROM 2004 THROUGH 2008 ON AVERAGE I DROVE 7000 MILES A YEAR. IN THAT 28000 MILES I REPLACED ALL MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, ALL 4 INNER&OUTER TIE ROD BUSHINGS/ENDS TWICE, RADIATOR TWICE, THERMOSTAT HOUSING TWICE, COOLANT PIPES ONCE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES. I AM REPLACING…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2008Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, TiresODI 10246579

Fuel system, gasoline

77 reports4 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WAS MOVING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000, BUT WAS UNAWARE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2009Fuel system, gasolineODI 10260605
All 1996 Intrepid problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Intrepid
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
Intrepid
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400468
Intrepid
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, (FFS), VMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
152418$3,550494
  • Intrepid
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, (FFS), CLKUP
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Intrepid
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, (FFS), CLKUP
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Intrepid
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, (FFS), VMODE CLKUP
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Dodge Intrepid as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3535
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Intrepid questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Dodge Intrepid problems?

Owners filed 515 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (147), engine and engine cooling (79), fuel system, gasoline (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Dodge Intrepid get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Dodge Intrepid at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026