NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 129 owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Intrepid. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (79) and engine (12). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I HAVE A 2004 DODGE INTREPID I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE MOTORS I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THAT CARD AND I PAID FOR IT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE IT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW AT THE TIME I HAVE ON THAT THERE'S ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT ADDED TO THE 60 ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN YET EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND THERE WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM THAT CRACK MY HEAD BUT IT NEVER RAN HOT TO GIVE ME ANY WARNING BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP LEAKAGE THE MOTOR HAS ALWAYS HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE NOBODY EVER TOLD ME WHEN I HAD IT WORKED ON BUT THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID MOTORS ALL HAVE TROUBLE WITH OR PRESSURE MY CAR IS NO LONGER WORKING IT IS SITTING OUT IN MY YARD THE BODY IS GOOD INTERIOR IS GOOD I JUST PUT NEW TIRES ON IT I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE GETTING MOISTURE IN IT HAD TROUBLE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED THE BALL BEARING THE JOINTS THAT AXLE I NEED HELP [XXX] PUT A USED MOTOR IN IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND YOU MOTOR COST MONEY AND IT WILL PROBABLY WIND UP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE 2004 DODGE INTREPID IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR LIKE TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT MY CAR…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FIANC WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.”
“WE ARE WRITING TO LET YOU KNOW OF A MAJOR CAR FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN OUR DODGE INTREPID. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE HOT/COLD NEEDLE BEGAN MOVING UP AND DOWN. THEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT. THEN, THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PRODUCING BLACK CHEMICAL SMOKE INTO THE CABIN. THEN, FIRE STARTED SHOOTING OUT OF THE VENTS. WITH NO BRAKES AND FIRE AND SMOKE INTO THE CAR, THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CAR STILL GOING 30-40 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS IN EXTREME DANGER INSIDE THE CAR AND OBVIOUSLY LAYING ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL. THE CAR ENDED UP IN THE DITCH WHILE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE AREA OF THE HEATING CORE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE BOLTS WE WERE TOLD BY THE FIRE MARSHAL. THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE HEATER CORE TO GIVE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED AT THE ER FOR SMOKE INHALATION. THE CONTENTS IN THE CAR WERE EITHER BURNED, MELTED, OR HAVE SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS A…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intrepid Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Intrepid Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Intrepid Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (79), engine (12), steering (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Dodge Intrepid at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).