Research · Large Cars

1999 Dodge IntrepidRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,044 owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Intrepid. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (712) and power train (99). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
1,044
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,044 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1998 – Jul 2018
  1. Engine and engine cooling712
  2. Power train99
  3. Steering62
  4. Electrical system60
  5. Visibility49
  6. Suspension41
  7. Equipment30
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic29
  9. Vehicle speed control28

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
41
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
3
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

Engine and engine cooling

712 reports4 crashes5 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A STOMACH INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2015Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10671900

Power train

99 reports9 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE INTREPID. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION ON ITS OWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V021000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2016Power trainODI 10923792

Steering

62 reports3 crashes1 fire
“EXCESSIVE STEERING PLAY. AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL GO ON ITS OWN IN THE DIRECTION THAT I PREVIOULSY TURNED. IT WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER SAFELY THEN IT TAKES AN EXTRA SECOND FOR STEERING TO RESPOND. IT STEERS LIKE A BOAT. NO INJURIES VECHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2010SteeringODI 10354072
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl · 3.2L 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, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182822$2,900404
Intrepid
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$3,400468
  • Intrepid
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Intrepid
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
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 1999 Dodge Intrepid as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4027
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

1999 Intrepid questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Dodge Intrepid have?

6 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 1999 Dodge Intrepid problems?

Owners filed 1,044 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (712), power train (99), steering (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Dodge Intrepid get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Dodge Intrepid at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026