Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Dodge Intrepid problems
Owners filed 515 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Intrepid with NHTSA between Feb 1996 and Jan 2016. The most-cited component is steering (147).
Complaints
515
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
33
Reported by owners
Fires
22
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering147
- Engine and engine cooling79
- Fuel system, gasoline77
- Power train43
- Suspension41
- Air bags34
- Electrical system31
- Service brakes, hydraulic30
- Exterior lighting21
- Structure20
- Equipment13
- Visibility11
- Tires7
- Fuel system, other7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
21
23
51
94
82
58
50
39
31
31
4
13
7
3
1
1
3
2
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 21 |
| 1997 | 23 |
| 1998 | 51 |
| 1999 | 94 |
| 2000 | 82 |
| 2001 | 58 |
| 2002 | 50 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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…”
Fuel system, gasoline
77 reports4 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Power train
43 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“MY SON DIED IN DEC 12,2002 IN A 1996 DODGE STEALTH TWO DAYS AFTER HE DIED I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. CAR LOST CONTROL ON FREEWAY AND WENT OFF ROAD AND ROLLED. HE JUST PUT A TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CLUTCH, AND PUT IN NEW ENGINE THROUGH TRACY DODGE IN TRACY, CA. *TR”
Suspension
41 reports1 crash
“IT STARTED OUT MY STEERING WOULD GET REALLY TIGHT AND YOU COULDN'T MOVE IT AT ALL AND IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY NOW WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACK-N-PINION AND SO THEY FIXED IT AND ITS STILL DOING IT. *TR”
Air bags
34 reports23 crashes
“TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND A PIECE OF METAL WENT THROUGH MY EYE CAUSING IMMEDIATE BLINDNESS AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THE LEFT EYE. THE PIECE OF METAL WAS PULL OUT IN THE ER. THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET IN DETROIT MI TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH. I'VE BEEN WEARING A PROSTHETIC EYE SINCE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.