Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Intrepid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Strong smell of electrical fire while driving, as well as strong gasoline odor. When car was pulled over it was discovered that the fabric covering the ceiling of the car was burning. Took to dealership, but they could not figure out what was causing the problem. They removed fuse that contols indoor lights and cruise control. We have had not solution to the problem as yet.
The last couple of months the headlights would go out without warning. Upon clicking the high beam switch they would come back on. Intermittent wipers starting not working also. High beam switch stopped working (not staying in place) day prior to meltdown. While driving home on 11/22/03 there was a smell of something burning. I checked under hood and around outside of car when I got home. Smelled nothing outside. Got back in car and at that point the headlights would not work. Brought car to mechanic and the inside of the steering column (module for high beam/signal/wiper and wiring harness) completely melted. I don't believe there was any fire. Please check into this.
I kept smelling something hot when the headlights were on. When the low beams quit working, I removed the cover from the steering column since that is where the smell seemed to originate and it often felt hot. I found the wire to the low beam terminal of the dimmer switch had overheated burning off about an inch of insulation and damaging both the switch and the connector on the wiring harness. I have purchased a new switch and am preparing to repair the connector.
Vehicle has experienced numerous electrical problems since its purchase requiring repairs at my expense. The latest being a short in the wiring harness leading to a failure in the wiring connection to the radiator cooling fans on 2 occasions. Replacement of the fan harness does not fix the problem in the wiring harness and it will short out and burn the connection again. This should be fixed by the manufacturer as a manufacturing defect.
Dt:the contact stated the engine stalled while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle must stop before it will restart. No indicators light came on either before or after the vehicle stalled. There are several recalls and all have been repaired in a timely manner. The dealership states a new computer system needs to be installed in the vehicle, but they can not guarantee this will repair the vehicle. Updated 12/7/2005.
Purchased car in sept.2002 ran great till June 2003. Car shuts of when driving. I will be driving on the beltway 55mph and car will just shut off no warning no check engine light nothing. It has been towed 4 times to 3 different garages. No one can find anything wrong. Have replaced battery, altinater, 2 sensors sofar. No codes are sent to computer when car acts up. I feel this is a hazard and an accident waiting to happen.
I bought the car for 1500$ the inspection ran out at the end of that month, inspection was completed as a "lickem stickem" the car 2 weeks later was determined by an outside mechanic unsafe to drive and hazardous to public safety, car was left at place of purchase for two (2) weeks in which time nothing was done to correct the issue car remains unsafe to drive and not running.
Steering wire harness had caught fire while driving 30mph. Smoke was entering vehicle compartment. Vehicle checked after stopping. Drove to dealership and was repaired. Was driving 70mph and problem had reoccurred. Took back to dealership and was repaired. Problem happened a third tin down. Manufacturer refused to repair it again.
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. Vehicle was taken to the mechanic to have a coil and tie rods put on the car. Picked up the car this morning after she got home with the vehicle and it caught on fire under the hood.
Car engine compartment was cleaned using hose water. After driving car for approx. 10 miles, engine compartment caught fire around eletrical and battery area under the hood. Car was a total loss.
Electrical complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, 8% of the model year's 344 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 11 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.