Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
1997 Dodge Intrepid-169,610 miles > > I only had this car for 1-1/2 years with less than > 3,500 miles driven. > > today on March 16, 2008 at 1:15 pm, I came back to > college from spring break. I noticed that I was 29 > miles away from the college and the steering wheel > started to jerk to the right and move on its own. I > turn the steering wheel back to the left and had to > force the wheel to turn and move where I need to go. > > > the steering wheel never made noises as I was > driving > today, but I noticed that I had to force the wheel > hard to make a turn into the parking lot. When I > tried to park, the wheel would not respond, so I had > to force the wheel to turn and still did not work. > I'm now trapped in the parking lot because I'm not > sure that I'm safe on the road. …
While backing-out and to the left from a parking spot, a loud bang was heard and the vehicle, a 1997 4dr Dodge Intrepid was undrivable. An assessment by a qualified mechanic concluded a serious problem occurred in the front right passenger side wheel area. The low control arm was ripped away from the engine cradle. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealership in paris,tennessee. (pepper's Dodge attn. Lori [phone]). Digital pictures of the ripped metal and damage area are available at [email] follow-up reporting to Chrysler headquarters about the seriousness of this event concluded that, "senior staff decline assistance." (Chrysler file # kmm590568v86801l0km / ref# 11849430). My insurance carrier (usaa 1231595) said that they will begin an investigation this week. Pepper's Dodge has been advised and said they will wait for usaa to conclude their report. …
I was driving my Intrepid, a new engine was just put into it, and they did a complete inspection of everything at the same time. I was going 50 miles an hour swerved to miss an animal, suddenly the left wheel must of broke, put me into a spin, I spun around several times ending flipped over into a ditch. No explanation except their must of been manufacturer defect in the steering or wheel assemblies. It was a slight swerve nothing extreme. I am hurt pretty badly, unable to barely move today, and my car was totaled after having to just had to put out money for an engine that blew up approximately a month earlier. Please help! I am a single mother, this was my dream car, now I have nothing, due to no fault of my own. Thank you, sincerely, robin stanley phone [phone], my cell number is [phone], and my address 368 tulip st, fairfield, ca 94533. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The contact reversed and drove over a two inch beam. As a result, the front passenger side control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the contact was told that the control arm would need to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact of a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 99V215000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower arm). The recall however, was only issued for the 2004 model Dodge Intrepid and not the 1997 model. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and the current mileages were 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. The contact noticed that the ball joints, tire rods, sway bar bushing and motor mounts wore prematurely and needed constant repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. The current mileage was 128,000 and the failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. While driving relatively low speeds including 10 MPH, there was shaking sensation accompanied by difficulty steering. The dealers technician stated that the control arm would cost $1000.00 to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 95,700 and the current mileage was 95,890.
Dt*: the contact stated the rear end of the vehicle bounced up and down after driving over a bump. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where the rear struts were replaced. The vehicle then began to make a clunking noise in the rear end. The repair shop was alerted, but did not inspect the vehicle.
Third failure of my Dodge 97 Intrepid for power steering and tie rod failure. Replacements were as follows: 3/27/98 7,999 miles-power steering pump replaced(previous owner) 11/2/01 41,530 miles-thump noise in front end-repaired strut assembly (previous owner) 11/9/01 41,923-I purchased vehicle from Dodge ewald-driving home I heard a thumping in the right wheel upon turning. Took back to dealer who replied "this is normal" I stated no way!!!! Replaced strut assembly and frozen outer tie rods and adjusting sleevings. 8/7/02 68,116 miles-pulling out of driveway-steering went. Towed to dealer. Replaced rack assembly and inner tie rods. 2/16/04 85,344 miles-backing out of parking spot-thump heard, no control of steering and right wheel severely facing in. Towed to dealership. Replaced rack assembly, tie rods. …
Sun roof- problem existed at time of sale, dealer aware that parts were defective and no replacements available. Still not fixed as of 5/24/1999. Car drifted to the left on flat roads and crowned highways-right lane. Drift was severe. Full lane change within 300 ft or less. Dealer response- all components set to manufacturer's specs. Nothing he can do. Last trip in March 1999 dealer noticed wear on tires and rotated them. Also ordered power steering pump and a steering idler arm. Car does not drift anymore. Front end has had a vibration from day 1. Dealer can't seem to notice it of find out the cause. Changed tires, rotated tires, checked on brake discs, etc. Still no full solution. Vibration is less the first noticed but still present at 5/24/99. Some was corrected 12/08/1997, more remains. Lights do not seem to be bright enough or the throw pattern is wrong. …
Car started to vibrate bad around 74000 miles. Took to 3 different repair facilites, was told by first the rack and pinion needed replaced, was a bad design and they see it all the time. Was told other components were wore also because of the rack and pinion, total cost- $1500. Midas muffler gave me a similar estimate for $1600. This week a Firestone dealer checked the car, the right rear cradle cap bushing was gone,right front separated and about to fall apart. Other suspension/steering components wore and needed replaced. They told me to take it to a Dodge dealer and complain. This car is the second largest purchase we have ever made, besides our house. We feel cheated by Dodge. We are afraid to drive the car for fear it will fall apart like others I have seen on this site.Dodge should repair this car fully or buy it back from us. …
Suspension complaints in other Intrepid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Dodge Intrepid?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Dodge Intrepid, 7% of the model year's 344 complaints. The component named most often is front (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Intrepid suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.