Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Engine light came on repeatedly and engine caught fire. The fire had come from the rear hood area. The dealer stated that the fire started from the #5 fuel injector/wiring harness/fuel rail. The vehicle also lost braking power and revved during the incident. There was an oil leak prior to the incident where the rocker arm cover was replaced, the power steering was noisy, leaked, and was replaced, and the bleeder screw was broken and the thermostat housing was replaced.
This car belonged originally to my brother-in-law as his company car. He sold it to his mother, who, for 2 years, drove it only 1000 miles. She had told me several times that she kept smelling fuel. And, her air conditioner leaked and had to be recharged several times during this period. Upon her death in March, I acquired the car. On 7/09/04 I took the 1997 Dodge Intrepid to dodgeland of columbia to check for a fuel leak. At the time of check-in for the vehicle I sited the recall 98v-184 and the odi resume summary for investigation rq98-018. This car had been repaired in the recall, however the odi resume states there is no time limit for subsequent failures. Dodgeland checked the car and stated that the fuel leak was not due to the fuel rail or the o-rings, they said I had a bad fuel injector. …
My name is [redacted] and I own a 1997 Dodge Intrepid w/86K miles. I have well cared for this vehicle. This past weekend, I have experienced the engine seized/quit issue while driving 75 MPH on the expressway with my two kids. I figured it was the heat; so I let it cool down. Started back on our road trip.. Which it happened again 10 miles later. Mind you; there was a full tank of gas from shell, recent oil change and fuel filter change. One year earlier, I have replaced the thermostat/injection rail for the same problem. I have called customer service at Chrysler-Dodge but the recall for this year is only with the 3.5 engine; not the 3.3 engine-so they will not pay for the repair at the dealership. Thank god my older mother wasn't driving the car; for she wouldn't be able to handle the manual steering and able to get the car safely to the shoulder without causing a severe accident. …
Tl* - the contact has a 1997 Dodge Intrepid that he took to his local mechanic because the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel rail system. At the repair facility, the mechanic stated that there was a recall on his vehicle and to take it to the dealership (NHTSA campaign id number : 98V184000. The contact took vehicle to dealer on 01/05/07, when he picked up the vehicle on 01/15/07 the dealer stated that they would cover the labor, but not the part. The contact called Chrysler customer service in regards of the part not being covered who stated that it was up to the dealer to decide repair costs. The contact can provide copies of invoice. The VIN was not available. The consumer was told that the part was not covered, because it was not leaking fuel. Updated. Updated 2/15/2007 -
I started smelling gas and was going to get it fix the next day the very nest day while driving to work my car caught on fire. I still owe almost 3,000 dollar on it and just found out that the dealer should have gotten it fix before he sold it to me. By it being my first time buying a car I really wasn't aware of these things. I'm not sure if there is really anything I can do I just thought I would see if I have a complaint and if there is some way to rectify this situation. I wasn't aware of the recall. And they should the car to me as is. No letter or statement of any recall or damage was given to me. I have had minor work done on the car but I didn't know that this was a problem.
We started noticing a strong gas smell in our car and bad fuel economy. The smell was so strong that it was making us sick after being in the car for more than 15-20 minutes. I took the car to a shop and they told me that it the "fuel rail is leaking and the fuel injection o-rings need to be replaced also". The shop cannot get the parts due to a shortage. They said that the parts are only being used for "safety issues for dealers first". So nothing is being done to fix the problem. We need our car and it could possibly catch on fire due to this problem and we cannot get it fixed.
There was a gas odor in the cabin of the vehicle when the air vents were on. This was due to the fuel leakage recall 98V184000 but the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope. At 112,000 miles the consumer was able to remove keys from the ignition without the vehicle being in park. This was the same defect as stated in the floor shift ignition switch recall 04V021000 but this vehicle had a column shifter and the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope.
Dt*: the contact stated there was a smell of gasoline while driving any speed. This was accompanied by a knocking noise in the engine. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where it was determined that fuel had leaked on to the intake manifold. The o rings were replaced, as well as the oil sending units. There was a NHTSA recall# 98V184000, which pertained to the fuel injection system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
I have 1997 Dodge Intrepid (3.5 l engine). Passenger side fuel rail has developed leak. Problem is not o-ring, but appears to be crack. Dealer and Dodge customer service say this is no problem, is simple wear and tear item. I believe this is a defect issue with the fuel rail and a serious safety issue and should be a recall item. Est cost of repair (including diagnosis , multiple accesses to rail) $600.00 (one side only).
This vehicle has had recall repair... Recall no. #98V189000 fuel system gas line: the vehicle was leaking fuel onto the ground and there was a strong odor of gas inside the vehicle. The problem has been repaired, but now the vehicle continues to stall while driving at any speed. The vehicle has stalled at least 8 times since the recall repair. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail o-rings and reinforce the outlet (passenger) side fuel rail. Vehicles showing fuel leakage on the outlet fuel rail must have the outlet rail replaced which includes changing the upper…
NHTSA investigations
Fuel injection delivery system fuel leak
Remedy failures of recall 98v-184
The petitioner, philip mcbroom,alleges that there was a fuel leak in the fuel rail, and or fuel o-rings, which caused an engine compartment fire.this event occurred after the recall (98v-184) remedy was performed on his vehicle.he has petitioned the NHTSA to investigate the remedy adequacy of safety recall 98v-184.on August 10, 1998, daimlerchrysler notified the agency that it would recall approximately 722,600…
Fuel rail, brake fluid, chassis
On September 5, 2004, mr. Robert galenty of iselin, nj, petitioned the agency to conduct defect investigations of certain model year (my) 1993-1997 vehicles produced by daimlerchrysler corporation.his petition identified three issues of concern: 1) fuel leaking from the fuel injector rails; 2) brake fluid contamination resulting in brake failure; and 3) susceptibility of the vehicle frame to damage while the vehicle…
Fuel System complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, 24% of the model year's 344 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (47 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Intrepid fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-184 (fuel injection system, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Intrepid fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.